The Lost Heritage! A Photoessay on the Monuments of Kashmir by Naira Yaqoob

Photo Essay
The Lost Heritage! – 5

Awantisvami Temple, Awantipora, Pulwama

This temple is situated on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, on the bank of River Jhelum at a distance of 29 km S-E of Srinagar (13 miles above Srinagar). It is located at the foot of mountain Bastarwan. This monument was constructed by Raja Awantiverma of Utpala Dynasty before ascending the throne, probably between 852-54 AD. It is a Vishnu temple, though some believe it to be a Buddhist or a Shiva temple. Avantisvami temple was occasionally subjected to sacrilegious treatment even in Hindu times. In the 14th century Sultan Sikandar completed the destruction which had already begun. It belongs to the vimana type of temples, supposed to have just one entrance and stair. Many antiquities have been unearthed during the excavation of this temple.

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