Nestled between Srinagar and Pahalgam, located on the banks of the river Jhelum, is a small yet historically important town of Awantipura. It is situated about 30 kms away from Srinagar, Kashmir. This town is home to the famous Awantipura ruins, representing the once grand Awantipura temple.

These charming shrines stand serenely amidst the scenic green valleys and gorges of Pahalgam. The temple itself was erected by the emperor Avantivarman, during his reign in Jammu and Kashmir (9th century AD). He was a great devotee of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu and hence built two major shrines for these deities. In fact, he was the founder of this ancient township. According to traditional trivia, the temple bears the imprints of the aristocratic lineage of Jammu and Kashmir spanning over almost 1100 years. The original layout of the complex shows that the temple was constructed on the central part of an oblong shaped spacious courtyard and four small shrines on each corner. The temple is decorated with beautiful carvings and structures which reveals the masterly architecture and art of that time. Moreover, it has withstood the invasions that the township of Awantipura faced.

The Awantipura temple had been intricately designed and it attracts a lot of pilgrims and spiritual folks almost all times of the year. Awantipura has drawn Hindu and Muslim devotees, characteristic of the state which is known for its rich cultural diversity.