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Amazing Temple of Avantiswamin

Posted by Sid's Photologue on April 18, 2016March 1, 2026

Awantiswamin temple is a temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, situated around 30 km south east of Srinagar

Located on the banks of river Jhelum, Awantiswamin temple was built by King Avantivarman (AD 855 – 883 AD), the first king of the Utpala dynasty, on the ancient site called Visvaikasara

This Vaishnav temple remain hidden until 1913, when the excavations uncovered the structures that we see it today at the site

The excavation also revealed artefacts that shed light on the way Kashmiris lived their life during various eras as coins of various kings and earthenware were uncovered. Among other things he found earthen heating bowls, the kind used by boatmen and poor in Kashmir.

While this temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, King Avantivarman did built a Shiva temple which is a km away and is known as Avantishovra Temple

This mesmerizing monument has been built on a two-tiered base in the centre of a paved courtyard. Buddhist influence is quite evident in the architecture. The outer boundary wall or the courtyard has four shrines in its four corners. The entrance to the temple is located in the middle of the west wall and can be approached by a flight of steps.

Sculpture of Vaikuntha Vishnu

The walls have beautiful designs and images of gods. Even after 1200 years, the sculpted images are distinctly visible and impressive.

Even though the temple is dedicated to Vishnu, images of Shiva can also be seen on the pillars and stones.

When this temple was discovered during excavation; the courtyard of the temple had filled up with silt for more than two-thirds of the height of the colonnade. It’s fortunate well preserved state, is in a way a result of nature’s small mercy in the form of silting, that preserved it from both man and nature.

Anantnag Archaeological Survey of India carving Hindu Hinduism Jammu Jhelum Kashmir Lord Shiva Pahalgam sculpture sid's photologue Srinagar Vishnu

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