Perched just 8 kms from Almora, Kasar Devi is a hushed hamlet situated in the silence of verdant Kumaon hills. One of the many hidden jewels in Uttarakhand, Kasar Devi village derives its name from the namesake local deity, Kasar Devi. A Devi temple erected in her reverence is a popular pilgrimage destination in the vicinity of Almora. The serenity exuberated at Kasar Devi is only superseded by the majestic panoramic view of the valleys, rivers and hamlets.
The quiet and calm atmosphere that encapsulates Kasar Devi has drawn many eminent artist, writers and poets and personalities. Swami Vivekananda graced this place by his presence when he visited Kasar Devi in 1890. Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Cat Stevens, Allen Ginsburg and Timothy Leary are some of the well-known personalities to have visited Kasar Devi.
The secluded hamlet of Kasar Devi is famous for its namesake temple dedicated to locality deity Kasar Devi. Thousands of devotees visit this Kasar Devi temple every year. This place is also well-known among the westerners seeking spirituality due to its popularity as Hippie Hill during the Hippie counterculture movement in 1970s. The place is famous for its quiet and secluded atmosphere and spellbinding view of the Almora valley.
Kasar Devi came into prominence when Swami Vivekananda visited this place and meditated here. He was impressed by the place so much that he mentioned about Kasar Devi in his writings. After Danish mystic Alfred Sorenson (also known as Sunyata Baba) made Kasar Devi his home, this quaint hamlet attracted many western spiritual seekers to this place. Crank’s Bridge also known as Hippie Hill became a popular tourist destination during the Hippie era.
Due to its relative obscurity, Kasar Devi is has limited number of accommodation option available. Although, one can easily find few budget as well a luxurious accommodation at Kasar Devi. Imperial Heights Resort offer splendid view of the Almora valley. Other accommodation options include Mohan Café, Kasar Jungle Resort and Kripal Guest House. One can also look for accommodation at government-owned KMVN guesthouses.
As Kasar Devi is situated only 8 kms from Almora, availability of eating options is not really a deal-breaker for travelers. One can easily find many cafes and restaurants along the Binsar-Almora road. Various high-end hotels have in-house restaurants serving Indian as well as international cuisines. Some restaurants also offer authentic Kumaoni dishes but it has to be ordered a little in advance.
Village Walk – Walking through the quaint Pahadi villages in and around Kasar Devi is a rejuvenating activity for the nature-loving travelers. Not only one can enjoy the beautiful verdant landscape, but also get to know more about the Uttarakhand culture, its tradition and lifestyle.
Bird Watching – Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary is just a stone’s throw away from Kasar Devi and an ideal spot for spotting exotic birds and wildlife. A pair of binoculars is all you need to spot wide range residential and migratory birds that visit the Sanctuary during the migratory season.
Yoga & Meditation – Due to its secluded location, Kasar Devi is an ideal spot to indulge in some Yoga and Meditation. The calm and serene atmosphere including lush greenery and snow clad peaks that envelops Kasar Devi is more than enough for a spiritual awakening.
Kasar Devi is located in in Almora ( Almora-Bageshwar road, NH -309A).
By Air: The nearest airport to Kasar Devi is situated at Pantnagar at a distance of 124 kms. Tourists can easily avail cabs and taxis to Kasar Devi via Almora. Almora is just 8 kms from Kasar Devi. Buses and shared cabs also ply from Pantnagar to Almora.
By Rail: Kathgodam is the nearest railway station to Kasar Devi. It is located at a distance of 88 kms from Kasar Devi. Taxis and buses ply from Kathgodam towards Almora on daily basis. Ranikhet Express and Sampark Kranti Express are two trains readily available to Kathgodam.
By Road: Kasar Devi is just 8 kms from Almora. Almora is well connected by motorable roads with major cities of northern India. Buses to Kathgodam and Almora can be taken from ISBT Anand Vihar, Delhi. Taxis, shared cabs and local buses to Almora are easily available in Kumaon region. The distance fromDelhi to Kasar Devi is 373kms if you travel via Moradabad and Bilaspur..
Kasar Devi is popular place for following activities/ interests - OffBeat, Village Tourism.
