MP Sanajaoba Urges Centre to Protect Bishnupur’s Historic Vishnu Temple

Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba has urged the Union Government to take swift action to preserve the centuries-old Vishnu Temple in Bishnupur during a Zero Hour intervention in Parliament on Monday.

Sanajaoba noted that the temple, situated about 27 km from Imphal, stands on state-owned land and remains one of Manipur’s most significant remnants of early religious architecture. Believed to have been constructed during the rule of King Kiyamba (1467–1508 AD), the temple features a distinctive Vishnu emblem attributed to the same period, highlighting historical ties with Upper Burma.

He appealed for the temple to be declared a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), stressing the urgency of its conservation. The brick structure features a corbelled roof, a sanctum roughly 2m x 2m in size, and overall measurements of about 2.10m in height and 1.1m in width. Its design blends Burmese and Bengali architectural influences, showcasing the cultural exchanges of that era.

The MP also called for the site’s promotion as a tourist destination and recommended assigning a permanent caretaker—such as a chowkidar and gardener—to ensure proper upkeep. Safeguarding the Vishnu Temple, he said, is essential for preserving Manipur’s Hindu heritage and reinforcing its cultural legacy.

Sanajaoba concluded by urging the Government of India and the ASI to undertake immediate restoration and maintenance efforts to protect the monument for future generations.