Inside the ruins of Avantipur are two temples, Avantishwar (dedicated to Lord Shiva) and Avantiswami (Vishnu), built just 1 km away. These partially restored temples have lost a great part of their glory. The smaller of the two, Avantishwara Temple, was built before the king was crowned on the banks of the River Jhelum and was then called VATISTA. The much larger and magnificent monument, Avantiswami Temple, seems to have been built when he took the throne. The Vishnu temple was inspired by the Gandharva style, with the central shrine built in a spacious courtyard, while four smaller shrines were built in the corners. Mandapa, supported by pillars, also stood in front of the shrine. The temple is beautifully decorated with intricate and elegant sculptures that represent a magnificent symphony of architecture and art. The temple lost its luster when the Afghan ruler Sultan Sikandar Bussikan invaded these parts of India and destroyed the monument in the 14th century.