Masroor Temple

The Masroor Temples are rock cut temples, sometimes called the Ellora of Himachal. They are believed to have been first built by Pandavas while they were travelling through these mountains; historically they belong to the 7th and 8th centuries. They must have been built by the Katoch Dynasty; the information available is very less though. The temples are magnificent structures, carved into the rock and rising towards the heavens. These are covered with amazingly detailed carvings depicting Shiva, Kartikeya, Indra, Surya, as well as many forms of the goddesses. The main shrine today has idols of Rama, Sita and Lakshmana found here during the excavation though it is believed to have been a Shiva Temple. Steps cut into a mountain nearby and lead to a sort of store house, where some broken idols were found. This hillock also provides a superb view of the temples against the Dhauladhar Ranges in the background.
Location:
Masroor is 32 km away from Kangra and 51 km from Dharamsala

How to reach: By air: The nearest airport is at Gaggal, about 15 km away from Dharamsala. There are regular flights from New Delhi.

By train: The nearest well-connected railway station is at Pathankot, (87 km from Dharamsala). The Kangra Railway Station is only connected by a narrow gauge train from Pathankot to Joginder Nagar.

By road: Dharamsala is well connected to Pathankot by road, and there are frequent buses ply on the route. Masroor is on the road to Nagrota, and there are few buses here. It is best to hire a vehicle from Dharamsala or Kangra.

Where to stay: Dharamsala and Kangra are the best places to stay. There are plenty of options for all budgets, from luxury resorts, to homestays, lodges, and even youth hostels.