AWANTISVARA TEMPLE
The Awantisvara temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is located in District Pulwama, about 30 kms from Srinagar on the Srinagar-Anantnag National Highway, on the bank of River Jhelum and 1 km to the North West of Avantiswami temple. This temple was built by Raja Awantiverman (855-883 AD) of Utpala Dynasty. He erected two magnificent temples, one dedicated to Lord Vishnu called Avantiswami and the other to Shiva called Avantisvara. The former built before his accession to the throne and the latter after obtaining sovereignty. The King was a devout follower of Vishnu and remained a Vaishnavite till his death. It is located in the centre of a courtyard surrounded by a collonaded peristyle. The entrance is in the middle of the Western wall and is approached by a flight of steps.
