Kausani, Uttarakhand

Kausani (Hindi: कौसानी) is a hill station and Village situated in Bageshwar district in the state of Uttarakhand, India. It is famous for its scenic splendour and its spectacular 300 km-wide panoramic view of Himalayan peaks like Trisul, Nanda Devi and Panchchuli. Mahatma Gandhi called this place the 'Switzerland of India', due to similarity in landscapes.

Geography:
Kausani is located at 29.8541°N 79.5966°E in Bageshwar district of Uttarakhand, India at a distance of 40 km (25 mi) from Bageshwar city, the administrative Headquarter of Bageshwar District. Kausani is located 52 km (32 mi) north of Almora, a major hill station and the historical capital of Kumaon Kingdom. Kausani lies in the Kumaon division and is situated 123 km (76 mi) North-East of Nainital, the Headquarters of Kumaon. Nearby Towns include Garur (16 km (9.9 mi)) and Someshwar (10 km (6.2 mi)). It has an average elevation of 1,890 m (6,200 ft) above mean Sea Level. Kausani lies atop a ridge amidst dense pine trees overlooking Someshwar valley on one side and Garur and Katyuri valley on the other on Almora-Bageshwar-Didihat Highway. Kausani is a part of the Lesser Himalayas, a region watered by rivers like Kosi, Gomti and Ramganga. Their banks, known as seras, are highly fertile.

Tourist Attaractions:
Anashakti Ashram is a quiet and revered place where Mahatma Gandhi spent some days and wrote his commentary of Anashkti Yog. The KMVN (Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam) resthouse in Kausani is an ideal place to stay and it provides panoramic views of the mountains.
Lakshmi Ashram is one kilometre away from the Kausani, and is a center run by Kumauni women and dedicated to social service and the upliftment of women. Gandhiji's disciple, Sarla Behn (Kaitherine Heileman) established the ashram in 1946, and spent her life here doing social service and also established Anashakti Ashram. Lakshmi ashram is located in a solitary area among dense pine forest.

Tea gardens (5 km on Bageshwar Road), Baijnath group of temples (16.5 km on Bageshwar Road) and Bageshwar are the places of interest nearby. A fabulous collection of high quality woollen shawls, exquisitely designed by the local weavers, can be purchased from Kumaon Shawl Emporium.

Pant Museum is named after the famous Hindi poet, Sumitranandan Pant, who was born in Kausani, the Museum has the articles of his daily use, drafts of his poems, letters, his awards etc. This Museum is at a short distance from the Kausani bus terminal.

Treks Near Kausani:
Pindari Glacier Trek
Kafni Glacier Trek
Sunder Dhunga Trek
Milam Glacier Trek
Rudrahari cave temple trek
Kafari (3 km from Kausani)

Places around Kausani:
Almora
Baijnath
Bageshwar
Garur
Chaukori
Berinag
Gwaldam
Badhan Gari Mandir
Angayaari Mandir
Kote Mai Mandir
Krishna gari
Laubanj Village
Rudradhari Dham