Masroor Rock Temples

Kangra is one of the best places to visit in Himachal Pradesh and enjoys pleasant climate all year round. Tourists and devotees alike visit the famous rock cut temples of Masroor from March to October. Himachal Pradesh packages are popular among tourists who want a hassle free travel experience. A good Himachal Pradesh tour package can cover all the best places like Kullu, Manali, Shimla and Dharamshala or any number of these places in various customized packages however, if you’d like a more offbeat experience, be sure to include Kangra in your itinerary.  

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Masrur is around 32 km from Kangra on Nagrota Surian link and a group of stunning rock cut temples form a group of 15 monolithic rock cut temples in the Indo Aryan style and are beautifully carved. These cave temples are the only rock shrines in the northern part of India. The rock-cut technique of the temple complex is among the rockhewn monuments in India. The rock-cut style originally began during the reign of the Pallava king Narsingha varman I Mahamalla in the seventh century.

The main shrines are dedicated to Lord Rama, Laxmana and Sita. Since the Mahabharata, they are worshipped by Hindu devotees. The entire temple complex is situated on a hill and provides spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. Spectacular views of the snow peaked Dhauladhar Range mesmerize devotees and tourists alike and in more ways than one.

The main shrine is now the centre of attention. Over the years, the remote location of these temples has protected them from external threats like the invading army of Mahmud Ghazni. The strong stone construction also prevented severe damage during the 1905 earthquake.

The Rock-cut style is much more difficult to construct as compared to the structural style. The material determines the way the artist should move. Very few of the original shikharas still stand and some of the most beautifully carved panels are now in the state museum, Shimla.

Monsoons in the months of June September make valley full of lush greenery as thousands of nature lovers visit during the monsoons but summers are when tourists like to visit Kangra to get a respite from the heat. It is a good idea to book a Himachal Pradesh holiday package now for the summer season in a few months as it is winter now and you could get a great deal on your travel and accommodations plans.