Perched high on a forest-covered ridge, this tiny village has lovely panoramic views of distant snowcapped peaks, fresh air and a relaxed atmosphere. Mahatma Gandhi found Kausani an inspirational place to retreat and write his Bhagavad Gita treatise Anasakti Yoga in 1929, and there is still an ashram devoted to him here. Nineteen kilometres north, Baijnath village has an intriguing complex of 12th century sikhara-style temples in a lovely location shaded by trees, with other shrines in the nearby old village.
Anasakti Ashram :
It is also known as Gandhi Ashram. Anasakti Ashram was built to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi who visited this place in 1929 and described it as the 'Switzerland of India' after falling in love with its pristine beauty. It is here that he wrote his treatise Anasakti Yoga. The ashram is well stocked with books and photographs of Gandhi's life. There is a small prayer room in this ashram where prayers are held every morning and evening.
Rudradhari Waterfall :
The Rudhadhari falls is a natural attraction here and many ancient caves are explored nearby areas. The puranic stories relate this place with Lord Shiv (Rudra) and Lord Vishnu (Hari). The Shiv Temple at Someshwar is situated close to the waterfalls. These magnificent waterfalls can be viewed while trekking to Adi Kailash region in the hill station of Kasauni.
Lakshmi Ashram / Sarla Ashram :
It is also known as Sarla Ashram. Catherine Hillman, a disciple of Gandhi who came to be known as Sarlaben founded this ashram in 1964 which overlooks the beautiful Kosi Valley. Several skills like growing vegetables, cooking, caring for the animals and cleaning are taught to over 70 orphaned poor girls and woman who live in the ashram. Lakshmi ashram is located in a quiet place up the hills which lends a serene atmosphere to the ashram.
Sumitranandan Pant Gallery : The renowned hindi poet Sumitranandan Pant was born in Kausani. Sumitranandan Pant Gallery was built to commemorate Sumitranandan Pant. The gallery houses hundred of English and Hindi books in glass cabinets. A poetry symposium is organized here every year to mark the poet's birth anniversary.
Kausani Tea Estate (Tea Garden) : Kausani is also famous for its several tea gardens and pear orchards. Girias Uttaranchal tea is produced in 208 hectares of tea plantations near Kausani. You can have somebody guide you through the factory showing you the tea garden, how tea is manufactured in the estate. This high-flavored tea is exported to Australia, Germany, Korea and the US.
Other offbeat tourist attractions near Kausani are : Jain Ki Dhai, Aku Binsar, Aredeo, Pandukholi & Kukucheena, Maha Avatar Baba Cave - Yoganand Society, Bhitinashwar, Gannath, Rudradhari Temple & Waterfall, Koshi Mool - Origin of Kosi River, Birchuya or Mini Bugyal - Green Grassland, Gopal Kot
Pinnath, Bura Pinnath & Bhatkot are some of the trekking points in Kausani.
Things to do in Kausani
