When Mahatma Gandhi stayed in Kausani in 1929, he was so moved by its beauty that he called it the "Switzerland of India" — and wrote his commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, Anasakti Yoga, here. Nearly a century later, this small Kumaoni village at 1,890 metres still delivers what few places can: a 300-kilometre unbroken panorama of Himalayan giants, visible right from your hotel balcony.
Kausani's magic lies in its sunrises. As dawn breaks, the peaks of Trishul, Nanda Devi, Nanda Kot, and the five Panchachuli summits ignite in succession — first pink, then gold, then blazing white. Travellers gather on terraces in reverent silence as the spectacle unfolds; it is one of the finest mountain sunrises in India.
The Anasakti Ashram, where Gandhi stayed, now houses a small museum and offers serene accommodation with prayer meetings at dusk. The Lakshmi Ashram, founded by Gandhi's disciple Sarala Behn, continues empowering hill women. Kausani is also the birthplace of Sumitranandan Pant, Hindi literature's great nature poet, commemorated in a museum displaying his manuscripts.
Wander through the Kausani Tea Estate, sampling and buying organic Uttarakhand tea, or take excursions to the ancient Baijnath temple complex by the Gomti River, the 360-degree viewpoint at Pinnath, and Rudradhari Falls hidden in pine forest. The Kausani Planetarium offers memorable Himalayan stargazing sessions.
Kausani is 120 km from Kathgodam, ideally combined with Almora and Ranikhet. October–March offers the clearest peak views. Wake up to the Himalayas — book your Kausani sunrise holiday with UttarakhandTours.in.