Awantipora


Awantipora, also known as Avantipur or Aavantipur, is a town on the banks of the River Jehlum in the Pulwama district of the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It is on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, south of Srinagar and north of Anantnag. Awantipora was named after the Kashmiri king Avantivarman and has the ruins of two 9th century Hindu temples built by him.
Awantipora tehsil is a subdistrict of Pulwama district.

History

It is said that the town was founded by Avantivarman who was the first king of the Utpala dynasty, and ruled Kashmir from 855 to 883 AD. Avantivarman built a Hindu temple in Awantipora dedicated to Vishnu called "Avantisvamin" before he became king, and during his reign he built a second Hindu temple in Awantipora called "Avantisvara" dedicated to Shiva. Both temples were built in spacious rectangular paved courtyards. They were destroyed in the middle ages. They were excavated by the archeologist Daya Ram Sahni in the early 20th century. The Avantisvamin temple is located at and Avantisvara is at. They are protected and maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India.

Demographics

India census, Awantipora had a population of 6,250. Males constitute 59% of the population and females 41%. Awantipora has an average literacy rate of 48%, lower than the national average of 59.5%; with 78% of the males and 22% of females literate. 9% of the population is under 6 years of age.
As per 2011 census of India, Awantipora has 35% Hindu and 65% Muslim population.

Villages in Awantipora tehsil

The villages along with their patwar halqa in Awantipora tehsil are listed below. There is a branch of Axis Bank in the village of Larkipora.
VillagePatwar Halqa
Awantipora Awantipora
KanjinagAwantipora
Rajpora UllerAwantipora
JawbrariBarsoo
BarsooBarsoo
PadgamporaPadgampora
AghanjiporaPadgampora
LarkiporaPadgampora
GoriporaPadgampora
KanlibaghPadgampora
UdiiporaPadgampora
DangerporaPadgampora
MalanghporaMalanghpora
RakhwatalporaMalanghpora
Kariwa RambirabadMalanghpora
AwanporaMalanghpora
ToknaTokna
GulzarporaTokna
BeighporaTokna
ShalltoknaTokna
ReshiporaReshipora
NowgamullerReshipora
KhandayporaReshipora
RenziporaReshipora
ChakharReshipora
Kanipora UllerReshipora
DogriporaDogripora
KawniDogripora
NooraporaNoorapora
ChersooChersoo
SailChersoo
K.KootK.Koot
MirzaporaK.Koot
Larmoh AwanporaK.Koot
PoshwanK.Koot
HariparigamHariparigam
PratabporaHariparigam
MidooraMidoora
KhankahMidoora
GorikadalMidoora
ShabadballaMidoora
ShabadpayeenMidoora
PanzgamPanzgam

Air Force Station

is situated near Awantipora at Malangpora about 5 km from Pulwama town.