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Kasauni- Gateway to Heaven

Kasauni, adorned with dense green valleys, thriving pine tree forests, rolling hills, and unparalleled serenity, is truly the jewel of Uttarakhand. Surrounded by majestic Himalayan peaks, Kasauni is a treat to sore eyes. There is no dearth of places to visit in Kasauni. It is so beautiful that you would be under its spell for a very long time. This spellbinding hill station is complemented with many stunning peaks, out of which the three most important peaks are Nanda Devi, Trishul, and Panchachuli. Kasauni was formerly called Verna. Mahatma Gandhi, the father of our nation, spent a few days at the Anasakti Ashram where he wrote his commentary of Anasakti Yoga. He was so mesmerized by Kasauni that he called this place the ‘Switzerland of India’. 

Panoramic views of Nanda Devi, Trishul, and Panchachuli, captivating sunsets and sunrise, and a setting so picturesque that you wouldn’t want to leave- Kasauni has all the ingredients to be your perfect getaway!

This captivating hill-station is replete with appealing sights. Back in the olden days, Kasauni was called Verna. It came into the limelight when Mahatma Gandhi made this village his temporary abode and finished his work on Anasakti Yoga. Initially, the town was inhabited by the Kumaoni and Garhwali communities and was a part of the Almora district. In November 2000, Uttarakhand was created as a separate district and Kausani came to be a part of it. The formidable mountains here, covered with oak and pine trees, make for a mesmerizing sight. With so many attractions and so many things to do, you can be sure that you won’t spend a single boring moment here!

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Places to Visit in Kasauni:

  1. Rudradhari Falls and Caves
  2. Gwaldam
  3. Trek to Pinnath
  4. Baijnath Temple
  5. Anasakti Ashram
  6. Kasauni Tea Estate
  7. Sumitranandan Pant Museum
  8. Stargate Observatory

1. Rudradhari Falls and Caves

Situated at a distance of 12km from the quaint little hill-station of Kasauni, Rudradhari Falls and Caves, are an amazing place to visit if you wish to spend some quality time amidst nature and surreal surroundings. The spellbinding Rudradhari falls are surrounded by paddy fields and picturesque pine forests. Located on the trekking route to Adi Kailash region, one can explore the mysteries of the ancient caves lying near the falls.

There is a small temple near the waterfalls dedicated to Lord Shiva (Rudra) and Lord Vishnu. The believers believe that the caves hold a connection with Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. Hence, this place attracts both devotees and nature lovers alike.

2. Gwaldam

Gwaldam is a beautiful, rustic, and quaint village that lies between Garhwal and Kumaon. Its picturesque surroundings, serene ambiance, and colorful flowers give a fairy-tale-like quality to this place. Nestled at an altitude of 1700 meters, Gwaldam is the perfect place for a peaceful retreat away from the noise and monotony of city life. It is a sleepy little village that – unlike the hill stations that have been hit by rampant commercialization – offers you an abode in the vicinity of nature. The enchanting views of peaks such as Nanda Devi, Trishul, and Nanda Ghuti will make you fall in love with Gwaldam in an instant. Trekking in the vast stretches of apple orchards is an experience that should not be missed. The entire trek is refreshing and rejuvenating. It is physically uplifting and mentally calming. If you are looking to relax, rejuvenate, and reboot your life, then this place is the ultimate destination for you. 

Gwaldam is a heaven for those seeking peace and tranquillity. It has stunning hills covered by tall pine trees, terraced farms, and enchanting hill slopes to take your breath away. The entire area is the epitome of beauty, and you will see lush greenery all around you. Gwaldam is an ideal place to sit back and view the snow-dusted peaks of the mighty Himalayas. The sunsets and sunrises here are mesmerizing, as the peaks reflect the various hues and colors of nature depending on the position of the sun. If you are an adventurous soul, Gwaldam allows you to experience trekking amidst nature. On your treks, you will see stunning water springs, beautiful flowers, and towering trees around you. One of the most stunning treks here is the Roopkund Lake Trek. Gwaldam is one of the less frequented hill-stations, hence it has managed to maintain its pristine and untouched nature. Visit it to appreciate its beauty and enjoy the vast bounties of nature.

Gwaldam epitomizes beauty and leisure. You can visit this sleepy village in the mountains to experience the everyday nuances of life in the Himalayas. This enchanting place is also an eclectic melange of Garhwali and Kumaoni culture. A visit to Gwaldam is a great way to immerse yourself in the local Himalayan culture and appreciate the diversity of our country. Once here, don’t forget to try out some of the most delectable Garhwali and Kumaoni dishes such as aloo ke gutke, gahat, chainsoo, and kaapa.

3. Trek to Pinnath

Situated at a distance of 5km from Kasauni, Pinnath is a beautiful village that overlooks the Kosi river. It has a temple named after the village itself. This Pinnath temple is devoted to Bhairon. The temple boasts of a mystical history and intriguing architecture. The 5km trek from Kasauni to Pinnath is enchanting, to say the least. You will be surrounded by nature in its purest form and will come across sparkling streams of water, orchards, and rolling hills on the way. This is the perfect trek to rekindle your adventurous spirit and refresh your mind, body, and soul.

4. Baijnath Temple

Around 20km from Kasauni, lies the ancient town of Baijnath. It is a town embellished with small and big temples, each having its own religious, historical, and spiritual significance. Baijnath is situated at an altitude of 1126 meters, on the banks of the Gomti River in the Bageshwar district of Uttarakhand. The town draws its name from the Baijnath temple here. The Baijnath Temple was constructed here during the 12th century, and legend says that Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati were married here at the confluence of River Garur Ganga and River Gomti. Other temples present here are devoted to Brahma, Shiva, Parvati, Ganesh, Kuber, Surya, etc. A temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu named Kote-ke-mai temple is situated at a distance of 3km from Baijnath. This temple houses a large statue of the Lord. It is an important place for the seekers of spiritual bliss. 

5. Anasakti Ashram

This beautiful and peaceful place in Kasauni is famous for playing host to Mahatma Gandhi-the Father of Our Nation- for two weeks in 1929. Because of its relevance to Gandhi, an Ashram was constructed here dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi. This Ashram is called the Anasakti Ashram or the Gandhi Ashram. It was here that Mahatma Gandhi wrote about Anasakti Yoga, also known as Gita Anasakti Yoga. This Ashram was constructed by an ardent follower of Mahatma Gandhi, Sarle Ben. The purpose was to provide shelter in the Himalayas to those who come here seeking peace, solace, and solitude. The Anasakti Ashram honors Mahatma Gandhi and his legacy. Gandhi fell in love with Kasauni and even endearingly called this place the ‘Switzerland of India’. 

6. Kasauni Tea Estate

If you are a tea lover, then you should not miss this place at any cost. The aroma here is irresistible and you will not be able to resist the charm of this place. Kausani Tea Estate, situated 5 km away from the main town is spread across an area of 208 hectares.

For ardent tea lovers and curious souls, this place arranges short tours to show their manufacturing process. This tour is led by the staff who work here at the Tea Estate. You can purchase various flavors of tea from here. It is also a beautiful location to take a stroll amidst enchanting tea plantations. However, it remains closed from November to March, so if you wish to explore this place, do not plan a trip around that time.

7. Sumitranandan Pant Museum

Dedicated to the famous Hindi poet, Sumitranandan Pant, who was born in Kasauni, this museum has preserved his life in a time capsule. It is an artistic place that has a wide range of creative work on display. From his poetry to his articles to his awards and letters written by him, everything here has been put up for public viewing. The idea behind this museum is to celebrate the life and achievements of the noted poet and to ensure that his legacy remains years after his demise. A large collection of his books in English and Hindi are showcased in glass shelves. To celebrate his birth anniversary, every year a poetry discussion is organized in the museum.

8. Stargate Observatory

Nestled in the majestic Himalayas of Kasauni, the Stargate Observatory transports us to the mystical world of the stars and planets beyond ours. It is a place for the observation of celestial bodies such as moons, planets, star clusters, constellations, nebulas, distant galaxies, and other deep sky objects. Perched at an altitude of 1800 meters above sea level, this Observatory offers stunning views of the Himalayas. You can also participate in the Himalayan Peak Watch activity organized at the observatory. This place boasts of state-of-the-art equipment and expert astronomers that make the entire sky gazing experience a magical and enriching one. If you wish to explore and experience the wonders of outer space, then this is the perfect place for you. 

You can also indulge in some stargazing here. This place organizes regular workshops on astrophotography for the lovers of celestial objects. If you want to delve deeper into the mysteries of the universe, you can pay a visit to the Science and Astronomy museum here. There is also a space-themed shop to pick up souvenirs to remember your ‘out of the world’ experience. 

Kasauni is a scenic place that is the perfect amalgamation of natural beauty, scenic surroundings, religion, culture, history, and science. It combines the best of everything and offers it to you on a platter. Visit Kasauni to unravel the secrets this quaint little town is hiding within itself.

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