Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary celebrations are underway the world over. This is an apt occasion to recall the time he spent in Uttarakhand’s picturesque Kumaon region. The region has always held a great fascination for writers, artistes and those spiritually inclined. Not only has Almora, its cultural heart, been the birthplace of famous artistes and poets, but it has also been a sought-after destination for many a well-known spiritual seekers and thinkers.
It was the picture-perfect beauty of Kumaon, which pulled Mahatma Gandhi, Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, Swami Vivekananda, Sri Aurobindo and Uday Shankar, to its panorama of Himalayan peaks and lush green valleys and meadows. Till this day, people in Uttarakhand do not tire of recounting the time the Mahatma spent here and how he was greatly taken in by the beauty of Kausani, fifty kilometres north of Almora. Kausani, with its lovely tea gardens, has been eulogised by poets and philosophers and is the ideal place for those who wish to spend time with themselves amid an idyllic environment in the mountains. It is also the birth place of famous Hindi poet Sumitranandan Pant.
Kausani was extremely close to Mahatama Gandhi’s heart. He spent quite some time here in 1929 while he was writing the book “Anasakti Yoga”, a commentary on Bhagwad Gita. His disciple Sarla Ben (Katherine Heilemen), founded the “Anasakti Ashram”. Earlier, the guest house of a tea estate, it is now an ashram and offers a good resting place for travellers. It accommodates 300 people. There is also a small library where books on Gandhian philosophy are available.
Gandhiji’s spinning wheels (Charkhas) can be seen at this ashram. He was so enamoured of Kausani that he called it the “Switzerland of India”. Every evening, prayers are conducted in the main hall. One can get a mesmerising view of the Himalayan sunset and sunrise from the Ashram. Today, despite deforestation in the area, Kausani can still lay claim to the title bestowed on it by Gandhiji. Quaint villages, orchards laden with fruit and hill slopes covered with pine trees escort one into Kausani. In the distance, snow-mantled peaks glitter in the sun and the breeze carries with it much of the cool freshness of the snows.
All through the day the mountains around Kausani seem to change in shape and colour. Each change provides an entrancing spectacle and induces a deeper communion with nature. The Anasakti Ashram atop a hill commands one of the most magnificent views of the mountain ranges around Kausani. The vast sweep of the mountain view (simply called "The View" locally), which encompasses a remarkable 350 kilometers at Kausani, is the central point of attraction in this little hill station.
Kausani is the favourite of several VIPs and celebrities who spend short vacations here, away from the public eye, relaxing completely. The most well-known of them is the former Congress president Sonia Gandhi. Dense pine forests, picturesque tea gardens and panoramic views of the Himalayas make Kausani special. Trishul (7,120m), Nanda Devi (7,816m) and the Panchchuli (6,904m) can be seen from here.
About a kilometer away from the Anasakti Ashram is located the Lakshmi Ashram , a social service centre run by women. It is located amid a forest. Lakshmi Ashram was established in 1964 by Catherine Hillman, a disciple of Mahatma Gandhi who later became famous as Sarla Ben. The ashram works for the progress of Kumaoni women, helping them become self-dependent. In the ashram, the women are taught several skills, like growing vegetables, cooking, caring for the animals and cleaning. The basic purpose of Lakshmi Ashram is to provide Kumaoni women a safe shelter and equip them with basic skills to lead an independent life. Many orphaned girls and woman live in the ashram.
Ten kilometres from the heart of Kausani is the sun temple at Katarmal, one of the most important temples dedicated to the Sun God (Surya Devta). It was originally built by a Katyuri Raja in the 9th 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.
Kausani will always cherish its association with the Mahatma and people often speak of the hill town and Gandhi ji in the same breath. If Gandhi ji's association with Kausani is highlighted by the State Government and more importance is given to it in the tourism circuits, celebration of his 150th birth anniversary will acquire a new dimension in Uttarakhand.