|
Located 53 km to the north of Almora, Kausani, is another picturesque hill
station famous for its scenic splendor and its spectacular 300 km-wide
view of the Himalayas. Situated at 6075 ft above sea level, atop a narrow
ridge, Kausani is often compared with Switzerland. Kausani is thickly
forested, and separated from the soaring Nanda Devi ranges by low
mountains. In 1929, Mahatma Gandhi stayed here at the Anasakti Ashram, and
was greatly impressed by it’s environs. Kausani is also the birth place of
poet Sumitra Nandan Pant.
Area : 5.2 sq. km.
Season : April-June, September-November.
Clothing : Summer - Light Woollen; Winter - Heavy Woollen .
SIGHTSEEING:KAUSANI
Anasakti Ashram
A quiet and revered place where the Father of the Nation spent some days.
Set against the breathtaking beauty of the Himalayas, this Ashram offers a
good resting place for travelers. It also has a library.
HOW TO GET KAUSANI
Rail :
Nearest railway station is at Kathgodam, 142 km.
Road :
Kausani is linked to several other hill stations road routes, Some of the
major road distances are : Almora-54 km. Rain khet-62 km, Pithoragarh-107
km. Gwaldam-39 km, Nainital-117 km.
A 300km wide view curves across the Himalayas from Kausani, a
breathtakingly beautiful hill station in the Kumaon Hills. The eye sweeps
past dense forests and glowing hills lit up by the setting sun.
The panorama unfolds over the snow-covered peaks of Nanda Devi and Trishul,
their impenetrable beauty overshadowing the lesser mountains scattered at
their feet. At 7817 metres, Nanda Devi is the second highest peak in India
and has exerted a tremendous impact on the cultures and lives of the
Kumaoni and Garhwali peoples. Mt. Trishul and Nanda Ghunti hover close by,
symbolic of Shiva’s trident and his wife’s veil.
Besides these heart-stopping views, Kausani offers blissfully undiluted
silence and tranquillity. The crisp air is laden with the scent of pines.
Tea gardens and pear orchards dot the landscape while the summer months
see a profusion of wild flowers in the valleys. The hill station itself is
perched on a narrow ridge on Pingnath Peak, overlooking mountain vistas,
while the rivers Gomti and Kosi flank the town.
Kausani has had many moments in the sun - as the birthplace of Hindi poet
Krishna Nandan Pant, and again as the hill station where Mahatma Gandhi
spent some happy days in 1929. Gandhiji stayed at the Anasakti Ashram,
where he explored the Anasakti Yoga. The Ashram used to be a guesthouse in
a tea estate, and is now a research centre and library. A Gandhi memorial
has been erected here and evening prayers are said in the main hall. There
is a regular flow of pilgrims trying to combine a glimpse of the sanctum
with a view of the spectacular sunset.
Some good treks lead into the Himalayas from Kausani, such as the Adi
Kailash trek and the Bageshwar Sunderdhanga trek. The area is quite a
camper’s paradise. In spite of its spectacular beauty, Kausani remains an
unspoilt town where you can retreat for a quiet sojourn at any time of the
year.
Best timeto visit: KAUSANI You can visit Kausani at any time of the
year except for the monsoon period from end June to September. Summer -
April to June - is the best time to be in Kausani, with temperatures
ranging between 11°C and 26°C. The winters are cold - temperatures average
between 2°C and 14°C and there are chances of snow. Carry light woollens
for summer and heavy woollens for winter.
PLACES AROUND KAUSANI:
Baijanth (17 kms) The most important historical center of Uttarkashi,
Baijnath on the bank of Gomati river was known as Karttikeyapur in ancient
times . The small township of Baijnath still hides within its fold the
legacy of its glorious history. The houses have intricately carved wooden
doors and windows which are live example of art and architecture that was
born here. The small township nestled in the valley also has a number of
exquisitely carved temples along the Gomti river bank.
The magnificent image of goddess Parvati in the sentum of the main temple,
the images still shines as they were almost a thousand years before.
Kanda (63 kms.) from Kausani, is a picturesque place where every inch
promises a fresh song of nature. An ancient temple of Bhadrakali adds to
the scenic grandeur of the place.
Someshwar (10 kms) from Kausani is famous for Shiva Temple and is belived
to have been founded by Raja Soma Chand. A fine example of Katyuri art is
the centre of important festival of Shivratri in March.
Jageshwar (82 kms.) from Kausani, is a cluster of ancient temples from 8th
to 12th century A.D. The complex consisting of 124 temples and hundreds of
statues is not merely famous for its exquisite craftsmanship but also for
its Swayambhu Lingum named Naagesh. The main temples are dedicated to Maha
Mrityunjaya, Mahisasur Mardini, Kedarnath, Baleshwar, Surya, Navagraha,
Mahakali, and Navdurga.
Jageshwar is amongst the 12 Jyotirlingas in India and Aadi Shankaracharya
also meditated here. Vridha Jageshwar, 12 km from here by motorable road
is the source of Jata Ganga river. Jageshwar, apart from its countryside,
it also offers imposing view of Hiriya Shikhar (2200 m).
Uttar Vrindavan is enroute to Jageshwar and is close to proximity. It is 3
km beyond Panuwa Naula on the left hand side. The Uttar Vrindavan Ashram
of Mirtola was established in 1929 by Yashoda Ma, spouse of Dr. G.N.
Charkravarty, first Vice Chancellor of Lucknow University and her disciple
Krishna Prem. The present temple was constructed in 1937.
Bageshwar (40 kms.), Situated on the confluence of two sacred rivers,
Saryu and Gomti, Bageshwar is an important centre for Shiva worshippers.
It is known that Markendaya Muni lived here and Lord Shiva wandered in the
form of a tiger in this holy tract. The present 'Bagnath' (bagh means
tiger) temple located here was constructed by the king Laxmi Chand in 1602
A.D. In close proximity is the old temple of Vaneshwar as well as the
recently constructed Bhairav temple.
The various statues in the temples dates back to 7th century A.D. to 16th
century A.D. This town is not only famous for the Baghnath temple but also
for the Uttarayani fair held on the confluence of the sacred rivers, in
mid January every year. Bageshwar is also base camp for trekkers going to
Pindari, Kafani and Sunderdhunga glaciers. The rugged beauty of these
glaciers is a breath taking sight. |
