After sitting through a terribly boring business presentation for four long hours, all I could shout to my colleague and best friend Nisha after coming out, was that I just need to run away or else I will go mad. That is when she suggested Kausani. It is a small hill station in Uttarakhand flanked by the rivers Kosi and Gomti. The area is surrounded by deep and dense pine forest and tea garden, from where you can enjoy the breathtaking views of the Himalayas from almost any part of the town.

We had pre-booked a homestay which was extremely beautiful. After reaching, Nisha took me to the upper part of the town to get a better view of the Nanda Devi Range. There is the Lakshmi Ashram above there, where Mahatma Gandhi had spend a month while penning down Anashakti Yog. The place is pretty well maintained and the serene ambience coupled with the picturesque view will make you experience heaven on earth. Inside the Ashram you will find pictures of the Great Leader, Mahatma Gandhi during different phases of his life. Another brilliant experience was the sunset from above there, which left me spell bound, especially with the change in colors as dusk was setting in.

Baijnath Temple was our next destination, this temple is an example of India’s rich heritage, with splendid architectural structures. Its location makes this place a must visit as with a splendid view of the Himalayas, you also get to see a holy river flowing beside the temple. There is a marvelous structure of Goddess Parvati sculpted using black stone which I liked the most. The place is clean and well maintained.

Rudradhari Fall and Caves is a place in Kausani, where you can satisfy your adventurous side, as trekking is the only option available to reach there. The waterfall was beautiful with pure indigo waters which was pristine clear. The atmosphere was really soothing. We also saw the small temple of Lord Shiva, the Rudradhari Temple. The trekking was extremely refreshing and with the meandering ways, it prevents you from getting lost. Our hosts at the homestay had mentioned that leopards come to drink water from this waterfall during the dawn.

Apart from the tourist spots, we also visited two more places, which were the shawl factory and the tea factory. At the Shawl Factory, we saw how the famous Kausani shawls are made using the age old techniques. It was really a learning experience. Kausani is pretty famous for tea and at the tea factory also, we witnessed the tea manufacturing process which starts from when the tea leaves are just brought in.

Though Kausani is a very simple place, it is the beauty and the serenity that lets you relax your mind and body. The cuisine is also very simple, but the local fruits like cherries are a must try.

This trip to Kausani provided us with the much needed soul pampering that not only rejuvenated us but also renewed our energies to be back to our normal schedule.