Snow -capped peaks from end to end, gentle clouds lightly kissing the sky, the very air breathing of pine – you could be forgiven for thinking you’ve woken up inside a postcard. Because that is exactly what Kausani feels like. No matter which part of this quaint little town you visit, the 360 degree panoramic view of the Himalayan peaks of Trishul, Nanda Devi and Panchchuli is always around the bend.
Whether it’s the balcony in your room at the resort, or the local tea stall, soak in the snow view to your heart’s content.If its malls and brands you are looking for, a holiday in Kausani is not for you. But for trekkers, it’s ‘the’ place to be. Visitors to the town find it an apt place to start their treks to Pindari glacier and Milam glacier. While I’m not the glacier trekking types, it was quite thrilling watching tourists ready up to visit these and we saw quite a few setting out for Sunder Dhunga too. I almost booked a tour myself, but chickened out at the last moment.
But we did walk a lot in Kausani, and I feel that’s the best way to explore any place. Be it the former home of the famous Hindi poet Sumitranandan Pant now converted to Pant Museum or the Anashakti Ashram where Mahatma Gandhi is supposed to have written Geeta- Anashakti Yog, there are small little places to discover all around.
What I enjoyed most was just taking a stroll among the lush green pine trees to feel at one with nature. Get your hotel to pack you a picnic basket (or maybe just some sandwiches), and settle down to relax at one of the numerable picnic spots that dot the place. If you are into visiting must - see places, then plan a day at the Rudrahari falls and pay your respects to Lord Shiva amidst splashing water and ancient caves. Around 16 kms from the town, there’s the lovely 12th century Bajinath temple where locals believe the Shiva Parvati marriage was solemnized.
A must visit in this area is the Girihas tea estate where one can actually see the process of tea being made and packaged. Savor a freshly brewed cuppa as you relish the golden sunset amidst the Himalayas. Carry home some garden fresh tea.
You also get some excellent local jams and preserves in Kausani. Plum chutney, apple jam, peach preserves, squashes of different kind, apricot scrubs – stock up on these natural goodies before you leave this amazing Himalayan town.