Masroor Rock Cut Temple, Dharamshala

Visitor Information

• Famous For: Religion, History, Mythology, Architecture, Photography.
• Entry Fee: No fee is required.
• Visiting Time: Open daily from 7am to 7pm.
• Visiting Duration: 1 to 2 hours

Dharamshala is such a hill station that symbolizes peace and integrity. The serenity of this town is a reflection of the various admixtures of art and culture that are existing and flourishing side by side without any hindrance. To top this list of the religious places that are inspiring the people of Dharamshala and elsewhere too is the Masroor Rock Cut Temple in Kangra, Dharamshala. As the name suggests, this is a temple complex that has been constructed by carving out monolithic rock in an intricate manner. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the God of Gods, this temple is said to have been associated with the mythological period of the Mahabharata and is, thus, a significant pilgrimage site for the Hindus. Hence, tourists and pilgrims visit this beautiful series of temples from all over the world not only to offer their prayers but also to mesmerize looking at the beautiful architecture.

Traveller Tips

• Wear comfortable shoes as you will be required to walk uphill and downhill while going to and from the temple.
• Maintain silence in the premises of the temple and do not try to enter the restricted zones.
• Photography is prohibited in the restricted zones of the temple. So, keep an eye out for the signs.
• Wear decent clothes and pay respect to the rules and the regulations and do behave the way you are expected to do.

Things to Do There

• Offer your prayers to the Almighty.
• Capture the ancient temple’s architectural beauty and the panoramic view of the surroundings.
• Spend some time alone in introspection.
• Take a dip in the cool water of the pool in the premises of the temple as it is believed that taking a dip in that pool delivers a person from all evil.

Availability of Guides

You have to hire a professional guide by consulting a travel agency from beforehand if you need a guide to accompany you. However, you can interact with the local people and the priests there during their free time so that you get to know some interesting facts about the Masroor Rock Cut Temple.

Best Time to Visit

It is recommended that you try to visit the Masroor Rock Cut Temple during Shiv Ratri so that you get to enjoy the festival that the local people celebrate there in fun and frolic at that time. It is also recommended that you avoid visiting the temple in the monsoon season because of the sudden and dangerous landslides that take place in Himachal Pradesh at that time due to the heavy rainfall.

How to Reach

The Masroor Rock Cut Temple is located at a distance of 43 km from Dharamshala. You can hire a car or a shared taxi to reach this ancient temple.

Interesting Facts About the Masroor Rock Cut Temple

• The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva who is believed to have set foot on this holy ground. The idols of Ram, Sita and Laxman are also present at this temple complex and, thus, this is what makes this ancient temple so sacred among the Hindu pilgrims.
• There is a rectangular water body more like a pool in the premises of the temple.
• There are 15 temples in this complex carved out of monolithic rocks intricately representing the shikhara style of architecture in ancient India dating back to the 6^th to 8^th
• According to legend, this temple had been built by the Pandavas of Mahabharata during their exile.

Nearby Attractions

• Kangra Valley
• Dal Lake
• Kareri Lake
• John in the Wilderness Church
• Chintpurni
• Tibet Museum
• H H Dalai Lama’s Main Temple
• State Museum of Dharamshala
• Tsuglagkhang Complex
• Bhagsu Nag Temple

Nearby Restaurants

• Tibet Kitchen
• Nick’s Italian Kitchen
• Jimmy’s Italian Kitchen
• Illiterati
• Lobsang Four Season Café
• Snow Lion’s Restaurant
• Morgan’s Place
• Lung Ta
• Trek and Dine

The Masroor Rock Cut Temple is an important shrine to the Hindu pilgrims who visit this place at least once in a lifetime to lose themselves in the ancient sacredness emerging out of these walls. A visit to this mythological abode leaves every tourist with a pure heart and a determined mindset to face every upcoming challenge in life. Thus, a visit to this temple is a must visit for all.