Perched on a verdant hillock surrounded by woodlands, the 8th-century Masroor Temple (adult/child ₹250/free) is a spectacular example of Nagara-style rock-cut temple architecture. Often likened to Maharashtra’s Ellora Caves – or even to Angkor Wat (Cambodia) – this 14-monument complex is characterized by towering sikharas (conical spires), some of which still have their original reliefs of Vedic and Puranic deities intact. In front of the complex stands a tank full of water, which makes for particularly great photos of the temple’s reflection when the lighting is right. Make sure to go inside to visit the main sanctum; although it was likely originally a Shiva temple, today it contains idols of Ram, Lakshman and Sita.
Masrur is 40km west of Kangra and 31km southwest of Gaggal, along winding roads through pleasant green hills.
A taxi day-trip from McLeod Ganj costs around ₹2500/2000 with/without also visiting Kangra.
