Altitude: 1,890 m
Distance: 52 kms from Almora
The quaint hill town of Kausani, located 52 kms from Almora and 76 kms from Ranikhet, offers a panoramic view of the snow-capped Himalayan ranges. Situated in Bageshwar district, this town is on a 1,890 m-high ridge above Katyuri Valley.
Called the 'Switzerland of India', this small town affords fantastic views of the trident-shaped Trisul, the twin peaks of Nanda Devi, Nanda Gond Ganth, Nanda Kot and the five peaks of the Panchchuli range. The warm glow of the sunrises' and the soft pink of the sunsets on these high mountains, leave tourists awestruck.
The serene Anashakti Ashram, where Mahatma Gandhi spent a few days in 1929, is perched atop a small hill. It was here that Gandhi wrote his treatise, the Anashakti Yog. Called Gandhi Ashram locally, the place is now a research centre and has a collection of old photographs and books which are open to the public. The Ashram offers 24 rooms to guests and has basic accommodation and food. Also Visit - Uttarakhand Holiday Packages
The nearby Pant Museum is dedicated to Hindi poet laureate Sumitranandan Pant, who was born in Kausani. The museum exhibits photographs and souvenirs from the life of this local literary prodigy. Every year, on May 20th, his birth anniversary, the museum organises a Kavi Sammelan (poetry conference). The museum showcases awards, personal letters, as well as drafts and manuscripts of some of Pant's poems. They also have a well-stocked library of both Hindi and English books.
Lakshmi Ashram, founded by Catherine Hillman, a disciple of Gandhi, is another attraction here. Hillman, popularly called Sarlaben, founded the ashram in 1931 as an educational centre for girls. Run as a boarding school, the ashram trains young women in vocational courses like sewing, knitting, garden farming, etc. Mostly orphans, these women are empowered to be self-sufficient and independent.
The ashrams here, be it Anashakti, Lakshmi or others such as Kala Ashram, teach women how to spin wool and khadi. These hand-spun woollen and khadi products are sold and are quite popular among locals and tourists alike.
The Kausani Tea Estate, on the outskirts of the town, with over 208 hectares of lush green tea gardens, provides a perfect background for the aromatic Girias Uttaranchal Tea, their best-selling produce. This high-quality tea is exported to Australia, Germany, Korea and the United States.
The ancient Someshwar Temple (11 kms) was founded by Raja Som Chand, of the Chand dynasty. The Rudradhari Fall and caves, near the Someshwar Temple, is a popular picnic spot.
For more information on trip to Kausani contact Swan Tours one of the best leading travel agency in India.