Masroor rock-cut temple to be projected as tourist destination

Shimla, Jan 18 (PTI) As part of a 71-crore project toboost tourism in Himachal Pradesh, the ancient Masroor rockcut temple here will receive a face-lift, Chief Minister PremKumar Dhumal said today.

During a one-day seminar held at the temple, some 32-Kmfrom Dharamsala, Dhumal said along with it, the adjoining PongDam lake were twin tourist attractions which needed immediateattention to bring them on national and international tourismmaps.

Erected in the eighth century, Masroor Temple, with itsbeautiful and complex structure, is the only single rock cuttemple in India, built at a height of 2535 feet above sealevel.

The chief minister also announced that Asian DevelopmentBank (ADB) have sanctioned financial assistance to the tune ofUSD 95 million for infrastructure development in the state.

In addition, he said, a documentary would be made on therich history of the temple and it would soon be connectedwith the Kangra Valley Toy train.

An eco-friendly hotel will also come up soon in theregion, he said.

The increase in the tourist inflow in the state is 10 to15 per cent every year, official sources said.