Avantiswami Temple was built during the 9th century when Jammu and Kashmir were under the reign of king Avantivarman (ruled 855-83), the founder of Kashmir's Utpala dynasty. He built two magnificent temples in the town of Avantipur—the Avantiswami Temple dedicated to Vishnu and the Avantishwara Temple dedicated to Shiva in the southeast of Srinagar, on the banks of the river Jhelum which at present lies in ruins. According to the beliefs, the temple was inspired by the Gandharva style. A large number of copper coins have been found after excavation in the early twentieth century which belonged to Shah Miri dynasty and Durrani Afgan rulers. These temples have withstood the constant invasions and the forces of nature that the town of Awantipora has faced. Excavated in the 18th century, the Vishnu temple would have been a magnificent structure during its time, with some pillars standing tall even today."