Awantipora

The town of Avantipura was founded by Avantivarman the Kashmiri Hindu ruler,{{Cite web |title=The Ain-i-Akbari Vol II |url=http://www.indianculture.gov.in/rarebooks/ain-i-akbari-vol-ii |access-date=2023-03-22 |website=INDIAN CULTURE}}{{Cite book |last=Sarkar |first=Jadunath |url=http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.460916 |title=Ain-i-akbari of Abul Fazl I Allami Vol. 2 Ed. 2nd |date=1949}} who was the first king of the Utpala dynasty and ruled Kashmir from 855 to 883 AD.{{Cite web|url=https://asi.nic.in/avantiswami-temple-avantipur/ |title=Avantiswami Temple, Avantipur |work=Archeological Survey of India|access-date=23 July 2016}}
This web-page spells the town Avantipur, and says that it is in Anantnag district, which it was before the creation of Pulwama district in 1979. 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 {{Coord|33.9232602|N|75.012846|E|type:landmark|format=dms}} and Avantisvara is at {{Coord|33.9279606|N|75.0045311|E|type:landmark|format=dms}}. They are protected and maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India.

File:Avantipura 1.jpg|The Avantisvamin temple

File:Avantisvara_Temple.JPG|The Avantisvara temple

As per the 2011 census, Awantipora has an average literacy rate of 69.41%, lower than the national average of 74%. Male literacy was 80.17%, and female literacy was 43.03% 9% of the population is under 6 years of age. Awantipora has a population of 12,647 people.

{{pie chart

|thumb = right

|caption = Religion in Awantipora City (2011){{cite web|url=https://www.censusindia2011.com/jammu-kashmir/pulwama/awantipora/awantipora-mc-population.html|title=Awantipora City Population|work=Census India 2011|accessdate=10 July 2021}}

|label1 = Islam

|value1 = 61.17

|color1 = Green

|label2 = Hinduism

|value2 = 36.48

|color2 = DarkOrange

|label3 = Sikhism

|value3 = 1.45

|color3 = Yellow

|label4 = Christianity

|value4 = 0.69

|color4 = Blue

|label5 = Buddhism

|value5 = 0.05

|color5 = Gold

|label6 = Jainism

|value6 = 0.01

|color6 = Maroon

|label7 = Not Stated

|value7 = 0.17

|color7 = Grey

}}

The villages along with their patwar halqa (revenue circle) in Awantipora tehsil are listed below.

Awantipora is home to Islamic University of Science and Technology(IUST) dating back to 2005. The university has been set up as a centre for higher learning for the people of the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir and its neighbouring regions.

AIIMS Awantipora, sanctioned by the central government in 2019, is projected to have a budget of approximately Rs 1,828 crore. This facility will augment the healthcare infrastructure in Kashmir by providing an additional 1000 beds, including 300 beds dedicated to super-specialty services. Within the project, there will be a Medical College designed to accommodate 100 students and a Nursing College with a capacity of 60 students.{{cite web | url=https://kashmirlife.net/health-department-clears-rs-43-crore-compensation-for-aiims-awantipora-land-owners-317700/ | title=Health Department Clears Rs 43 Crore Compensation for AIIMS Awantipora Land Owners | date=16 May 2023 }}

The first batch of MBBS at the upcoming AIIMS at Awantipora in south Kashmir will start in August 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.greaterkashmir.com/todays-paper/preparations-begin-for-first-mbbs-batch-at-aiims-kashmir|title=Preparations begin for first MBBS batch at AIIMS Kashmir|date=8 August 2021 }} The temporary accommodation is in Srinagar.

Awantipur Air Force Station is situated near Awantipora at Malangpora about 5 km from Pulwama town.

• Tral
• Anantnag
• Martand Sun Temple
• Sun Temple

• [http://www.bongblogger.com/kashmir-diary-ruins-of-ancient-temples-of-awantipora-srinagar/ Ruins of Ancient Temples of Awantipora]

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Category:Cities and towns in Pulwama district

Category:Tehsils of Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)