Thread on #AvantiSwami Temple, Kashmir

Located at Avantipura, the city which was founded by King Awantivarman in the year 855 CE, the temple of Avantiswami was dedicated to Lord Shiva & Lord Vishnu.

Will share a detailed thread about the temple.

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The temple consists of a colonnaded peristyle comprising of 69 miniature cells, enclosing a stone paved courtyard. The main sanctum was built on a double base in the centre of the courtyard and at its four corners are four subsidiary shrines.

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

Even after 1200 years, the sculpted images are distinctly visible and impressive.

The first ruin is the Avantiswami temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, Vaikunta Vishnu was the presiding deity.

This imposing monument has been built on a two tiered base in the centre of a paved courtyard.

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The other temple built by Avantivarman is Avantisvara temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva.

The temple is panchayatana type, having main temple at the centre of the Court and four subsidiary shrines at four corners of the main sanctum.

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Avantivarman built a group of temples at Avantipur, among which that of Avantiswami, dedicated to Vishnu, still survives in part.

Graceful colonnades of pillars form an arcaded portico around the shrine and a monolithic pillar before the entrance bears a metal figure of Garuda.