Bishnupur
About the city
Bishnupur. He built Vishnu Temple of Temple of brick at Bishnupur which has now become a protected historical monument under the Ministry of H.R.D (Archeology), Government of India. It is now standing as a symbol of the remains of ancient times. and the statue got by Kyamba from the Pong king is very important since it gives us the idea of the religious beliefs of those days and the very name that it had given.Kyamba wanted to conquer Kyang. So around the thirds of his reign he attacked Kyang along with Chaopha Khe Khomba, the king of Pong. After the battle was won, the conquered areas were divided between the two kings, they dined together in golden vessels and drank in join made of gold. They also exchanged servants and scholars. It is said that an image of Vishnu was given by the Pong king along with the fruit pong "hei" ton (guava) and the ponghawai (a kind of dal), Kyamba kept the given "Vishnu" image at Lumlangdong which also came to be known as Bishnupur i.e. abode of Vishnu. Perhaps, it was during the reign of Kyamba that Vishnu worship started in Manipur. This Bishnupur is the very place where king and Brahmins conserved the lord "Vishnu" Manu Brahmins also immigrated to Manipur. King Kyamba requisitioned the service of one such Brahmins and began the regular worshiper of Vishnu here at
Bishnupur, the glorious capital city of the Malla dynasty was an important centre of Bengali culture and learning. Art, architecture, sculpture and music flourished here under the patronage of Malla kings. The exquisite temples here testify the great craftsmanship of the terracotta artisans. These ornately carved shrines are built in a square plan with a gently curved roof like Bengali thatched huts made of bamboo and mud. The temples are usually made in brick and sometimes of laterite. Bishnupur is also known for its handicrafts like, the famous terracotta and wooden ‘Bankura horse', dokra, silk, tassar, conch-shell and bell metal ware etc. Bishnupur Mela (Dec) and snake festival (mid-Aug) are the main events celebrated here.
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Another remarkable feature of Bishnupur is by the worth mentioning. During the reign of King Bheigyachandra , there was an interesting story regarding the installation of the statue of Shri Shri Govindagee which was performed in 1780 AD. It is also said that one night Lord Krishna appeared in his dream and asked him to find an image of the Lord. Bheigyachandra answered the command of the Lord and founded the statue of Govindagee. Along with this statue, another six statues were made from the same jackfruit tree.
The installation ceremony of the statue of Abdeitya enshrined in Bishnupur in the Vishnu temple took place in the year 1793 AD. Since then, a number of pilgrims and saints have been visiting this temple.
The Bishnupur with its headquarter at Bishnupur (27 km. from Imphal) was opened on 25th May 1983. Stretching between 93.43 º E and 93.53 º E Longitudes and 24.18 º N and 24.44 º N Latitudes the total geographical area of the District is 530 Sq. km. It is bounded on the North by Imphal West District, on the South by Churachandpur District, on the East by Imphal and Thoubal Districts. According to 1991 Census the total population of the district is 1,80,773 (91,125 males and 89,648 females) having a density of 341 per Sq. km. and literacy of 45 % (56% for males and 34% females). There are 64 Revenue villages in the District. For a better and convenient administration the District is divided into three Sub-Divisions , viz (1) Bishnupur Sub-Division with its HQ at Bishnupur and (2) Moirang Sub-Division (opened on 12th December 1983) with its HQ at Moirang and (3) Nambol Sub-Division with its HQ at Nambol. There are 6 (six) SDC Circles in the district. Nambol, Oinam and Bishnupur circles are situated within Bishnupur Sub-Division. Ningthoukhong, Moirang ang Kumbi circles are situated within Moirang Sub-Division. The population of Bishnupur and Moirang Sub -Divisions as per 1991 census is 91,781 and 88,991 respectively.Of the demographic pattern , the Manipuries Meiteis constitute the largest population followed by the tribals and Meitei Pangal ( Manipuri Muslims) . Splinter number of Biharis and Marwaris are temporarily settled in the district mainly for the busuiness professions. As for the convenience of developmental activities of the rural areas there are two CD Blocks, namely (1) Bishnupur CD. Block with its HQ at Bishnupur and (2) Moirang CD Block with its HQ at Moirang Khunou. The Sub-Divisions are under the charge of one SDO each and the CD Blocks are under the charge of one BDO each while the circles are under the charge of one SDC each.
There are 6 (Six) Assembly Constituencies, viz 24-Nambol AC , 25- Oinam AC, 26-Bishnupur AC, 27- Moirang AC, 28-Thanga AC, and 29-Kumbi .C . The number of Gram Panchayat is 24 (12 G.P each in one block). As for the Local Self Governmrnt, there are 4 (four) Municipalities namely (1) Nambol, (2) Bishnupur, (3) Ningthoukhong and (4) Moirang.