Kausani - The Switzerland of India

Kausani is a hill station and a small village in the Bageshwar district of Uttarakhand. The town is surrounded by Himalayan peaks like Trisul, Nanda Devi, and Panchchuli. The scenic beauty of Kausani is so engrossing that you’ll find yourself falling head over heels for it. Almost every part of the town gives away the view of the enchanting Himalayan range. On one of his brief visits to Kausani, Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation, got so mesmerized by its beauty that he called it the “Switzerland of India’.

Kausani is a place that every traveler, trekker, adventure-loving person dreams of visiting. The high altitude, deep valleys, and the weather is what keeps everyone hooked.

The lower part of Kausani serves as a local market, and the upper one has hotels and resorts to accommodate visitors. The upper part also has an Indian Military Base, which doesn’t allow entry to any visitor or outsider.

History

Kausani was a part of the Almora district after independence. On 15 September 1997, the government decided to carve Bageshwar district out of Almora, and that’s when Kausani got its acknowledgment.

Geography

Kausani has located 40 km (25 mi) from the central Bageshwar city and 52 km (32 mi) from Almora and 123 km (76 mi) North-East of Nainital.

Kausani gets its water supply from rivers like Kosi, Gomti, and Ramganga, and the banks of these rivers are highly fertile.

Elevation: 1,890 m (6,200 ft)

Area: 5.2 km²(2.0 sq mi)

Population: 2,408 (as per Census 2011)

Density: 460/km² (1,200/sq mi)

Languages: Hindi and Sanskrit (official), Kumaoni

Climate

The temperature of Kausani varies from season to season. In summers, the temperature can range from 10°C to 26°C, while winters can bring the temperature from 15°C to 2°C.

Economy

The main occupations of Kausani are agriculture and tourism, where Most men of the town serve in the army. Some percentage of the population is engrossed in different businesses like handloom products, artifacts, and tea making. Established in 2000-2001, Kausani Tea Estate produces 70,000 kg of tea per year.

How to reach?

By air:

The nearest airport to Kausani is Pantnagar, which is 162 km from the town. Visitors can look for taxis or buses to reach their spots.

By train:

The nearest railway station to Kausani is Kathgodam, which is 132 km from the town. Get the ever running buses or taxis to get you your spot.

What You Can't-Miss

A visit to Sumitranandan Pant Museum, the museum used to be home to Indian poet Sumitranandan Pant. It offers a wide range of his creative work, manuscripts, and letters received by him & by his fans. There is one more museum called Anashakti Ashram, which was home to Mahatma Gandhi for a brief period.
A walk through the greenery. Enjoy panoramic views on your way. You can also go for trekking and explore every inch of the town.
Visit the lower part of Kausani and shop as much as you want. From brand to local and handmade, you’ll get everything here. Tea, handicrafts, pickles, marmalades, jams, and woolens are the specialty of Kausani.
Kausani is a small village and exhibits a simple and decent lifestyle that deserves being discovered and appreciated. The art, culture, heritage, roads, and transport are way different than we can imagine.