Kausani

Kausani is a serene hill station in the Bageshwar district of Uttarakhand, situated at an altitude of 1,890 meters. It is renowned for its panoramic 300-kilometer view of Himalayan peaks including Trishul, Nanda Devi, and Panchachuli. Mahatma Gandhi visited in 1929 and called it the Switzerland of India. The area features tea estates, dense pine forests, and several cultural sites including Anasakti Ashram and Sumitranandan Pant Museum.

Visitors can expect breathtaking panoramic views of snow-capped Himalayan peaks from various viewpoints across the ridge. The hill station offers peaceful surroundings with chir and blue pine forests, tea gardens, and quiet valleys. Key attractions include Anasakti Ashram where Gandhi stayed, Kausani Tea Estate, Sumitranandan Pant Museum, and nearby Rudradhari Falls. Visitors can enjoy sunrise and sunset views, birdwatching, short treks, and stargazing at the observatory.

Mahatma Gandhi visited Kausani in 1929 and spent 14 days at what is now Anasakti Ashram. During his stay, he was inspired by the serenity and beauty to write his commentary on Anasakti Yoga. The place was part of Almora District until 1997 when Bageshwar district was carved out.

Kausani is the birthplace of renowned Hindi poet Sumitranandan Pant, a Padma Bhushan and Jnanpith awardee. His ancestral house has been converted into a government museum displaying his manuscripts and personal items. The area also has Lakshmi Ashram, established by Gandhi's disciple Sarla Behn in 1946, dedicated to women's upliftment and social service.