Getting to Kausani is not a joke. Delhi’s short lived spring over, i had a sudden craving for the Hills and overnight managed to reach Kathgodham by train and then Bhimtal, en route Kausani, sitting bleakly on the last seat of a cramped bus which creaked its way up winding, never ending mountain roads. after yet another gut-wrenching curve, i gave up and hopped off the bus early, settling for the pretty Naukuchiatal instead. Five months later, i was far less troubled on the backseat of a comfy Esteem blasting songs from Saajan, and unflinching, even as my friend turned a little green about the gills.
But in the last 25 Km of the drive, the zig zag bends and turns eased off into a gently snaking road, and on the slopes below us lay paddy fields with sunflower and hollyhock shrubs, pine tress and miniature cottages: an idylic approach to the picturesque town of Kausani, flanked by the rivers Kosi and Gomti.
On a clear day, the ridged Kausani(6,201 ft) gives an uninterrupted view of a 365 Km stretch of the Himalaya, and at dawn or dusk you may sight a rosy alpenglow on the snow-capped peaks. Scores and scores of wild flowers and ferns grows all over this region stepped in myths and folklore, where in the local imagination, the lines of the Katyuri kings mix freely with the Pandavas and the avatars of Godess Durga.
as we walked through the town, going about our excursions,its warm and inquisitive inhabitants , going about theor weekly shopping, asked with breaking step ,again and again, ” where are you from ?” or stopped to offer us the sweetest, fattest mountain cucumber they had. Or chatted about the weather of Delhi. or about mysterious German artist who had been returning every season, for the last seven years, to their beautiful town. at the Kausani, every step, every story. even shrub bewitches.
Here are the 6 best places to visit in Kausani!
- Rudradhari Falls & Caves – For a heavy dose of nature & tranquility
- Baijnath Temple – Sheer display of glorious past
- Anasakti Ashram – One of Gandhiji’s favorite homes
- Kausani Tea Estate – For never ending vistas
- Sumitra Nandan Pant Gallery – To the wonderful poet & poetry
- Kausani Planetarium – Look up, stars await you!
How To Reach Kausani:
By Air
The nearest airport is located at Pantnagar, about 162 kilometres from Kausani, which usually takes about five hours. The Pantnagar Airport is less of a commercial airport and used more by private charters.
By Bus
The Uttarakhand Roadways connects Kausani to other important places in Uttarakhand like Almora, Ranikhet and Haldwani. Several private tour operators also run bus service from New Delhi to Kausani.
By Train
You can take a train up to Kathgodam, the nearest railway station which is located 131 kilometres away from Kausani. The best way to go forward is to hire a cab from Kathgodam to Kausani.
