There is so much in the state of Himachal Pradesh that amazes people each day and one of them is the Masrur Temples, also known as Rock-cut temples.
They are a very popular and a must-see tourist destination in the Kangra Valley of Beas River of Himachal Pradesh. It is an ancient 8th century rock-cut Hindu temples that are sites of attractions for the tourists visiting here. These Hindu temples are a version of the style of Nagara architecture and are made in dedication to Lord Shiva, Vishnu, Devi, and Saura Gods and their traditions.
The iconography of the temples is still surviving which was then inspired by the henotheistic framework. The complex of the temple was brilliantly designed and most of its complexity is still quite stable and surviving yet people say that the artists of the temples had a greater architectural vision and thus the temples remain incomplete. Some of its parts are also damaged because of earthquakes and most of the reliefs and sculptures of the temples are no more found yet it is an interesting tourist spot and an intriguing story for travellers. It was first found in 1913 and was then surveyed by the Archeological Survey of India in 1915 only to give more value to it and consider it as one of the living examples of mountain-style Hindu architecture.
Masrur Temple History
The temple complex was first reported by Henry Shuttleworth in 1913 bringing it to the attention of archaeologists. They were independently surveyed by Harold Hargreaves of the Archaeological Survey of India in 1915. According to Michael Meister, an art historian and a professor specializing in Indian temple architecture, the Masrur temples are a surviving example of a temple mountain-style Hindu architecture that embodies the earth and mountains around it. Much of the Masrur temple's sculpture and reliefs have been lost now. They were also quite damaged, most likely from earthquakes.
Top Attractions of Masrur Temples
1. Sacred Pool
The temples were made as per Hindu texts on temple architecture and thus have a sacred pool of water as well.
2. Entrances
It has in total three entrances out of which two are incomplete.
3. Temple Layout
The temples are in the form of the square grid where the main temple is in the center and the smaller ones surround it.
Things to Do in Masrur Temples
1. Amazing Architecture
Explore the history of the temples and get amazed by their architecture.
2. Take Pictures
Click pictures for an everlasting memory. So bring your DSLR and have your best moments recorded for a lifetime.
Best Time to Visit Masrur Temples
The timings to visit the temples is from 7 am to 7 pm. It is preferred to avoid visiting the temples in the monsoon season as there is a risk of dangerous landslides that can occur due to heavy rainfall. People can plan their trip at the time of Shivratri as a small but fun festival is celebrated in the temples by the local people.
How to Reach Masrur Temples?
It is one of the best places to visit in Himachal Pradesh when you are around Dharamshala-McLeod Ganj or Kangra town. The nearest airport is in Dharamshala and the nearest railway station is Nagrota Surian.
You can plan your trip and create your own route to the city with Adotrip’s technically driven circuit planner. Click here.
