The Avantipora temple ruins are two 9th-century stone temples built by King Avantivarman on the Jhelum, about 30 km from Srinagar. Their history, what to see, and how to fit them into a drive to Pahalgam.
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Quick Answer: The Avantipora temple ruins are two 9th-century stone temples built by King Avantivarman of Kashmir in his capital, Avantipura, on the Jhelum about 30 km south-east of Srinagar. The larger, Avantiswami, was dedicated to Vishnu; Avantishvara, nearby, to Shiva. Both are protected by the Archaeological Survey of India and take 30 to 60 minutes to see.
Last updated: 7 November 2026. By Kashmir Pulse Editorial. Kashmir Pulse is Via Kashmir's editorial channel, written by locals.
Most travellers drive past the Avantipora temple ruins at speed, eyes on the road to Pahalgam and the saffron fields of Pampore just behind them. That is a pity. Just off the highway, below the Wastarwan hills, stand the grey limestone columns of a temple courtyard that was already old when the Mughals arrived in Kashmir. Locals still call the ruins Pandav Lari, the house of the Pandavas.
What are the Avantipora temple ruins?
Avantipora is named after Avantivarman, who ruled Kashmir from 855 to 883 CE and founded the Utpala dynasty. Kalhana's Rajatarangini, the twelfth-century chronicle of Kashmir's kings, records that he founded the town of Avantipura on the Jhelum and built two temples there: Avantiswami, dedicated to Vishnu, and Avantishvara, dedicated to Shiva. His reign is remembered as a time of peace and public works, including flood-control channels on the Jhelum.
The temples were built in the classic Kashmiri stone style: a central shrine on a raised plinth inside a large rectangular courtyard, surrounded by a colonnade of small cells. The same style appears at Martand, built about a century earlier.
What can you see at Avantiswami temple today?
- ✓The courtyard: a sunken rectangle enclosed by a high stone wall, with fluted columns and the bases of the colonnade cells still standing.
- ✓The central plinth: the raised platform where the main shrine once stood, with stairs leading up to it.
- ✓The gateway: carved figure panels on the entrance, the finest detail left on the site.
- ✓Avantishvara: the Shiva temple, a short distance away and more ruined.
For centuries the site lay half-buried in silt brought down by the Jhelum, which is part of why the carvings survived. It was excavated in the early twentieth century and is now an Archaeological Survey of India protected monument. There is a small entry fee; check the current rate at the gate.
Related reading: Maharaja Palace Gulmarg: The Timber Palace Most Visitors Walk Past
How did the Avantipora temples fall into ruin?
Historians point to a mix of causes: earthquakes, the slow burial under river silt, and destruction during the medieval period. Some accounts blame a later ruler for deliberate damage, but the evidence is debated, and we would rather not repeat a story as fact. What is certain is that the grey stone has stood through more than eleven centuries of Kashmiri winters.
Avantipora vs Martand: which ruin should you visit?
| Avantipora | Martand | |
|---|---|---|
| Built | 9th century, King Avantivarman | 8th century, King Lalitaditya |
| Dedicated to | Vishnu (Avantiswami) and Shiva (Avantishvara) | Surya, the sun god |
| Distance from Srinagar | About 30 km, right on the highway | About 65 km, near Anantnag |
| Setting | Flat valley floor by the Jhelum | High plateau with wide mountain views |
| Best for | A quick, easy stop on the Pahalgam drive | A half day of history and views |
If you have time for both, do both. Our Martand Sun Temple guide covers the larger site, and our Parihaspora page covers the ruins of Lalitaditya's capital near Srinagar.
Related reading: The Bund Srinagar: A Jhelum Riverfront Walk Most Visitors Miss
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How to visit the Avantipora temple ruins
- Leave Srinagar on the Jammu highway towards Pampore. Avantipora is about 30 km on, roughly 45 minutes to an hour by car depending on traffic.
- Ask your driver to stop at the Avantiswami temple first; it is right beside the road in Avantipora town.
- Spend 30 to 45 minutes in the courtyard. Walk the colonnade and look closely at the carved panels on the gateway.
- If you have time, drive the short distance to the Avantishvara ruins.
- Continue to Pahalgam, about another two hours, or return to Srinagar via the saffron fields of Pampore.
November is a good month for the visit. The light is low and golden, the poplars along the highway are bare, and the site is nearly empty. Our Srinagar to Pahalgam drive guide covers the other stops on this road.
The Avantipora temple ruins are one of the oldest standing pieces of Kashmir's history that you can reach without a detour. Via Kashmir builds them into Pahalgam day trips and Kashmir packages, with local cabs whose drivers know the site, nights at verified hotels in Pahalgam, and Srinagar stays on houseboats on Dal and Nigeen. Tell us your dates and we will plan the stop.
Frequently asked questions
Who built the Avantipora temples?
King Avantivarman, who ruled Kashmir from 855 to 883 CE, built both temples in his new capital, Avantipura. The Rajatarangini chronicle credits him with Avantiswami, dedicated to Vishnu, and Avantishvara, dedicated to Shiva.
How far is Avantipora from Srinagar?
Avantipora is about 30 km south-east of Srinagar on the Srinagar to Jammu highway. By car it takes roughly 45 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic.
Is there an entry fee at the Avantipora ruins?
Yes, there is a small entry fee because the site is an Archaeological Survey of India protected monument. Rates change, so check at the ticket counter on the day.
Can I visit Avantipora on the way to Pahalgam?
Yes. Avantipora is right on the main route from Srinagar to Pahalgam, so a 30 to 45 minute stop fits easily into the drive. Tell your driver at the start of the day.
What is the best time to visit the Avantipora temple ruins?
Spring and autumn are the most pleasant. In November the site is quiet and the low light shows the carvings well. Go in the late morning or early afternoon, when the courtyard is in sun.
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