Kausani (Uttaranchal)

Baba Neeb Karoli : We hired a Maruti Omni for our journey from Nainital to Kausani. On our way we passed Kainchi, which is a hamlet with the Ashram of Baba Neeb Karoli. We stopped there to visit the Ashram. I had first met Baba when I was 13 years old, as my parents were his devotees. Baba was childlike and full of love. Nobody knew his age. My grandfather when he was young also knew him and the story was that Baba looked the same to his devotees spanning several generations. He would appear and also disappear without any prior information. His devotees would contact each other to inform the presence of the Baba. I would like to share a small incident that I remember vividly even today. I went to see the Baba. When he saw me, he said, "Tu Bhola ka ladka hai? Tu padhane me acha hai (Are you Bhola's son. You are good in studies.)."

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 place has been made into a memorial in his memory. In 1929, Mahatma Gandhi spent 12 days here. He was so enamoured of Kausani that he called it the Switzerland of India and brought his thoughts out in his book called Anasakti Yoga. The place where he stayed is called the Anasakti Ashram. Earlier the guest house of a tea estate now its an ashram and offers a good resting place for travellers and can accommodate 300 people. Every evening prayers are conducted in the main hall. It also has a library. There is nothing like the mesmerizing Himalayan sunset and sunrise from the Ashram premises
 
Pant Museum : The famous poet of Hindi literature, Sumitranandan Pant was born at Kausani. A little away from the bus stand is a museum named after him. The house which has the museum is the poet's house of his childhood days. His daily use articles, drafts of his poems, letters, his awards etc. are displayed here.
 
Baijnath, kausani : Baijnath is the most important historical place in Uttarakhand and is situated on the banks of the Gomti river. A 14 km walk through the forest is a delightful experience, and more rewarding than the road, which is 6 km. If the weather is good and you are in fine fettle, try the jungle trek. A temple built in the 12th century with beautiful carvings and sculptures is the main attraction here
 
Katarmal : 10 km from Kausani the sun temple at Katarmal is one of the most important temples dedicated to the Sun God. It was originally built by a Katyuri Raja about the 9 th century AD. The deity here is known as Burhadita or Vraddhaditya ( the old Sun God ).The temple is noted for its architecture, stone and metallic sculptures and carved pillars and doors.

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.

  
To Reach Kausani
 
Route 1:- 405 Kms. Delhi - Hapur - Moradabad - Rampur - Haldwani - Kathgodam - Bhimtaal - Bhowali - Khairna - Almora - Kausani

Route 2:- 433 Kms. Delhi - Hapur - Moradabad - Ramnagar (Corbett National Park) - Ranikhet - Kausani

Nearest Railheads from Kausani
 
Kathgodam:- 136 Kms from Kausani
 
Lalkuan (meter gauge) :- 156 Kms from Kausani
 
Train At Glance
 
Delhi - Kathgodam (Ranikhet Exp.),  Howrah - Kathgodam (Bagh Exp.), Delhi - Kathgodam (Jan Shatabdi), Agra Fort - Lalkuan (Agra Fort Exp.), Lucknow - Lalkuan (Nainital Exp.)
 
Distance by Road from Kausani
Delhi 405 km,  Ranikhet (via Binta) 60 km,  Ranikhet (via Kosi) 75 km,  Almora 51 km,  Nainital 117 km, Corbett Park 148 km