Masrur Temple : Marvellous Monoliths in Himachal
Hello all,
If I tell you that there are Ellora caves in Himachal, too, will you believe me? No! Right? Yes, we have been to these marvellous monolithic temples near Dharamshala long back in 2021, which are known as Himalayan Ellora or Himalayan Pyramids! I have mentioned them in the Dharamshala itinerary also, but how can I not write in detail about these fantastic architectural marvels?
There are 15 rock-cut temples in a complex carved out of a single rock, facing the mighty Dhaluadhar range of mountains overlooking a small water body! And what can I say about the reflection of these temples into that water body? You will be awed. The temples have been staying tall and strong for ages.
It is also believed that this temple inspired the idea of the largest Hindu temple in Cambodia, Angkor Wat. Now, you might realise its grandeur and significance! Masroor means Joyful in Arabic. But why it is called Masroor / Masrur is not known.
History:
There are temples dedicated to Lord Shiv, Vishnu and other deities. The carvings and stunning stone art will certainly mesmerise you.
There are many stories and folklore associated with these temples, and these make them even more enigmatic. We love listening to these stories. Sheel usually reads these stories in advance, and while strolling around these monuments, he tells them to kiddos, and that makes our trips and visits more meaningful. Shaurya is a history nerd, so he always dwells in the past and listens patiently. Nodbosy knew the excavator origin of these temples. And this elusiveness adds some mystery to them.
Masroor temples and Pandavas:
According to some, the Pandavas built these temple complexes during their exile and used them to keep their weapons there. Some secret hideaways and passages connected adjacent mountains, and the Pandavas used them as their hideouts. Some also say that the Pandavas started building a stairway to heaven from here. They were adamant about finishing it before dawn. Feared by this lord, Indra came in the form of a crow and started croaking so loudly that the Pandavas could not finish it.
Association with kings!
Some people also believe that the temple was built by the Katoch Kings of Kangara or by the Trigarta or Jalandhar kings of Punjab. The temple was constructed beautifully using an amalgamation of the Nagara style of architecture of North India and the Pratihara style of architecture of Central India.
Some tales also depict that Raja Yashoverdhan, an avid devotee of Lord Shiva, built the temple.
During the British era:
Initially, Britishers should have given more importance to this unique architectural gem. But after a Chinese traveler and Austrian explorer mentioned this temple complex and its similarities with Ajanta Ellora and Angkor Wat, Britishers started taking notice. A few made reports and considered this temple primarily a Vaishnav temple.
The temple complex was affected dramatically in 1905 with the collapse of some areas and sculptures. But now, it is managed by the Archeological Survey of India. Some repair work also has been done by them.
Whatever the story, one thing is for sure: the temple is standing tall with resilience and strength, matching the power and pride of the Himalayas in front of it.
Architecture:
The temple complex is made of sandstone, and because of its hardness, the temple stood still for many years. Carving on this stone might have been difficult, but the craftsmanship of our artisans is mesmerizing. On the exterior, there are floral, geometric, and animal motifs. There are also carvings of Lord Shiv with eyes closed, giving the feeling of Lord Buddha.
In the main sanctum, there are sculptures of many deities, such as Shiv, Ram, Lakshman, Sita, Ganesh, Kartikey, Durga Mata, Saraswati Maa, Vishnu Dev, etc. This suggests that whoever had the vision and whoever had built this temple understood the true essence of Hinduism. There is one supreme God, one supreme power, but they are not denying the existence of other deities.
Altitude: 2500 feet
Timings:
9:00 am to 6:00 pm as per Google. Timings change, so verify before you go.
Best time to visit:
March to November. Try to go early to see the best reflection in the water.
Distance from Dharamshala:
40 km, 1 hour 10 minutes
Distance from Kangra :
35 km.
How to reach:
- By Air: Nearest airport is Gaggal Airport, 45 kilometres away from the temple. Take a taxi or bus from the airport.
- By Rail: The nearest railway station is Pathankot Railway Station. We went there by train. You can hire a taxi from there. The distance from Pathankot is approximately 85 km.
- By Road: By taxi or bus from major cities
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So, whenever you are in this part of our country, do visit the historic marvel not because of the architectural point of view or scenery point of view but to truly understand the meaning of our religion and what our ancestors wanted us to believe. You surely won’t be disappointed.
Thank you..