ASI declares 6th-century Swapneswar Mahadev temple in Khordha as protected monument

Bhubaneswar: The ancient Swapneswar Mahadev Temple in Punjiama village under Banapur block of Khordha district has officially been declared a protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

The announcement follows a July 3 gazette notification issued by the Government of India, recognising the temple’s profound historical and cultural significance.

According to ASI sources, the Swapneswar temple is a rare relic of Odisha’s ancient architectural and spiritual heritage and is believed to have been established during the Shailodbhava dynasty in the 6th century.

Nestled in the Niladri Prasad Panchayat area, the temple has long been admired by historians and locals alike for its enduring link to Odisha’s classical era.

The declaration by the ASI marks the culmination of decades of effort to bring national-level protection and attention to the site.

Odisha’s Law, Works, and Excise Minister Prithviraj Harichandan welcomed the move and expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan for facilitating the declaration.

Calling it a ‘proud moment for Odia identity’, Harichandan noted that this recognition will ensure the temple’s preservation for future generations and strengthen Odisha’s place on the national heritage map.

The Swapneswar temple had once drawn the attention of senior BJP leader Biswabhusan Harichandan, who in 1977–78, as the then Culture Minister, had entrusted its upkeep to the state’s archaeology department.

Despite that, over time, the site slipped into neglect, lacking consistent conservation and restoration efforts.

It wasn’t until the last decade, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, that the temple’s importance was once again prioritised. The ASI initiated the process of national-level protection, following field evaluations and heritage assessments.