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 was made on Saturday by Odisha Works Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan through a post on his official social media handle on X (formerly Twitter).
“I am pleased to share that the Government of India, through the Ministry of Culture and the Archaeological Survey of India, has officially declared the historic Swapneswar Mahadev Temple as a Protected Monument,” Harichandan wrote.
Describing the development as a significant step in heritage conservation, the minister added that the recognition would help preserve Odisha’s cultural identity and rich historical legacy.
“The temple not only stands as a spiritual beacon for the region but also carries the timeless narrative of our past,” he stated.
Believed to have been constructed during the reign of the Shailodbhava dynasty in the 6th century, the Swapneswar Mahadev Temple is regarded as a rare example of Odisha’s early architectural and spiritual traditions. Located in the Niladri Prasad Panchayat area, the temple has long drawn the interest of historians, archaeologists and devotees for its enduring link to Odisha’s classical period.
According to sources, the ASI’s declaration comes after decades of efforts by heritage advocates and scholars to secure national-level recognition and protection for the site.
With this status, the temple will now receive the conservation and maintenance support afforded to all centrally protected monuments under the ASI’s jurisdiction.
