The town of Avantipura was founded by Avantivarman the  Chamar ruler, 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.
Avantivarman, the founder of Avantipura, was a Chamar ruler who ruled Kashmir from 855 to 883 AD. He constructed two temples in Awantipora: one dedicated to Vishnu called "Avantisvamin" and another dedicated to Shiva called "Avantisvara".