Actually, the Vaishnav Shastras and Dasha-avatar was inspired by Christianity and is a rather recent addition to the lore.
You'll notice that the Manu and Shataroopa are almost an adaption of Adam and Eve.
The Matsya Avatar and Kalki are adaptations of the story of Noah and the Ark [which is even featured there] in the former and the Apocrypha is just Eastern-ized in the latter.
The appearance of the Angels and the Demons, Heaven and Hell Concepts, the similarities between the birth of Krishna and the Biblical version and so on and so forth are totally inconsistent with the original philosophy of "Deivehah nirguna, nirakara."
Hinduism underwent a metamorphosis after the Apostle Thomas [the notorious "Doubting Thomas"] fled to India, where he landed in the coastal land of Kerala and founded the Mar Thoma Church and went on to Madras where he finally lay down and is buried according to legend, in the Cathedral San Thome in that City. He brought in the flood of Christian lore and Concepts that the local Brahmin's were quick to adapt to their own folklore
Of course, that event was over 2,000 years old, hence, "recent" becomes relative.
In fact, though this a small digression, the dress styles of India were the product of St. Thomas, who adapted the loin cloth worn by the women of those days [kindly refer to the sculptures on all ancient temples to see the original dress styles] to a nine yard stretch of cloth called the saree which is still in use; and the Jesuits' invention of the abbreviated blouse, which Hindu women still use; were the influence of Christianity on India.
Now, to return to the subject, to Answer the last part of your Question, the "misinterpretation" lies not with the Christians, but the Hindus who believe in the Dasha-avatar.
You might want to note that the Vedic Concept does not accept the existence of Heaven nor Hell and there is no Concept of the Beginning nor of the End of Days there; simply because Hinduism, originally, believed [and the core belief still is] that you were part of the Parama-atma and will return to that Being. Whether it is the Monism or Dualism approach is another story.
Peace.
ST
PS,
There is a lot that people need to know about the Concept of the Redeemer that St. Thomas would have had, being from that epoch; but, I've not discussed that here, because it's essentially not directly related, in the light of these facts, and is too long for this forum.
PPS,
I don't want to debate the point here, Jared; but, do you happen to know in which year there were some significant changes made to Hindu thinking ?
The Bhakti Movement was a product of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1486-1534). Gaudiya Vashnavism was the one that "revived' the adoration of Vishnu and a lot of work on the Ramayan, Mahabharath and even the Upanishads were a result of this.
Vishnu, himself was an avatar of Surya, till this Trinity was made and then, the Vaishnavs gave him prominence.
If you think I'm bluffing, please visit the Temple of Konarak and see for yourself. Vishnu is one of the Avatars of Surya, there.
Please ask the Acharyas of the Ramakrishna Mission or some good Institution. They'll guide you correctly.
I'm just a beginner in the study of Sanathana Dharma, but even I know this much.
There are far more well qualified people who can help you than me.
PPPS,
Please forget the theory that Jesus came to Kashmir. That's a thing that has been disproved.
The confusion, to dwell on this briefly, stems from the name Isa who was there; whereas the real name of Jesus was Yeshua or Yahoshua bar Yosef el Nazrany; a little known fact. Isa, actually, was an Arab.
What cannot be denied is St. Thomas, because his legacy and remains lie in India.
Did Christianity borrow from Hinduism? It's possible. There was a lot of interaction between the East and the Middle East. Also, lest we forget, there were the Magi, three Wise Men or Kings of Orient.
But, could Hinduism or, shall we say, Sanathana Dharma; which was so highly evolved that they had the Concept of Parallel Planes, Levels of Transience and the Concept of Godhood or the Godhead, be the one that could forget these advances and go to simplistic explanations such as Heaven and Hell and Angels and Demons? Now, that's the Question.
PPPPS,
Of course, I'm familiar with the Sufi Concepts which encompass the "vision" of everything as symbolic to the coming of the Comforter.
Wa aleikum as sala'am, aziza Zahida Shireen.
Problem is, aziz Jared, that while I do respect the sanctity of any place on Earth, I cannot forgot the fact that God is Omnipresent and Omniscient [please refer the Koran] and, thus, to deem only some places as blessed would be to belittle Allah [subhanahu wa tala'a].
Similarly, in Hinduism, as well as Christianity and in all Faiths, we do recognize the presence of God, call Him Allah, Eshwar or even Yahweh; to be all Pervading and all Knowing.
While I respect your opinion, aziz e aziza, I beg to differ that these signs cannot be taken for the coming of Mohammad bin Abd'allah al Muttailib al Quraish [ṣallāllahuʿalayhi wa'sala'am]. To say that al burraq is the same is, also, at a variance, I'm sorry, aziza. For al burraq is a mule with the head of a woman, borrowed from the Assyrian culture.
However, I must say that it is very nice to meet two Sufis who are well learned in Hinduism and strive to see the One-ness of all things.
La'akum deenakum wa'aliya deeni, aziz and aziza.
Peace.
ST