Earlier the place, Bishnupur was popularly known as Lumlangdong (presently Lamangdong). As soon as Kyamba ascended throne of Manipur in 1467 A.D he conquered the place of Kyang, which at that time was a Shan kingdom in the Kabow Valley. From the very beginning both the Pongs and the Meities tribes shares a good relationship. There is a belief in the place, Bishnupur that an idol of lord Vishnu along with the fruit pong “hei” ton (guava) and the ponghawai (a kind of dal) was given by the Pong king to Kyamba and then Kyamba kept the idol of Vishnu at Lumlangdong due to that reason it came to be known as Bishnupur meaning the abode of Vishnu. Probably, during the period of Kyamba rule, the worship of lord Vishnu was 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 constructed the famous Vishnu Temple with some unique brick at Bishnupur which has now become a protected historical monument under the Ministry of H.R.D (Archeology), Government of India.

Geographically, the district has a total 496 sq. km. area and occupies the rank 9th in State and 615th in India on the bases of this size. It lies at 24°63' N latitude, 93°76' E longitude and 828 m altitude. In the year 2023, there was a total 4.42% forest area of total geographical area. It is surrounded by Senapati district, Imphal West district, Churachandpur district, Thoubal district, and Churachandpur district. The climate of the district remains pleasant almost throughout the year. Most of its rainfall occurs in the monsoon season. The actual rainfall in the district was 1484.5 mm in the year of 2024-2025.

Administration wise, the district is divided into 7 towns and 49 villages. The district comprises 3 sub-divisions namely Bishnupur, Nambol and Moirang. Meiteilon (Manipuri) is its official language. In the state of Manipur with an allotted district code of 275th district of Bishnupur came into existence on 25th May, 1983 with its administrative headquarters located at Bishnupur, situated at a distance of 30 kms from the state capital.

Demographically, according to the 2011 census, the district has a total number of 44,891 households with a total of 2,37,399 comprising 1,18,782 are males and 1,18,617 are females which causing it to rank 5th in the state and 584th in India. The density of population of the district is 479 (persons per sq km.). The sex ratio is pegged at 999 (females per 1000 males) while the child ratio stands at 933 (females per 1000 males). Furthermore, the district has projected population of 2,89,506 comprising 1,45,065 males and 1,44,441 females for the year 2026. According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019–21), the district has an estimated sex ratio of 1,094 females and a child sex ratio of 957 females per 1,000 males. The population growth rate during the period 2001 to 2011 was 13.93% including 13.61% were males and 14.25% were females. In the year 2023 the number of live births in the district was 3,630 out of which 1,935 were males and 1,695 were females. In the same year the number of deaths in the district was 564 out of which 399 were males and 165 were females. As per 2011 census the major religion in the district is Hindu with 73.76% of the total population. According to 2011 census the principal language in the district is Manipuri with 97.87%.

Economically, the district is dependent on agriculture primarily. In the year 2006-2007 the Gross Domestic Product in the district was Rs. 62,253 lakh at current price and Rs. 50,313 lakh at constant 1999-2000 prices. The Net Domestic Product in the district during the period 2006-2007 was Rs. 54,490 lakh at current price and Rs. 45,006 lakh at constant 1999-2000 prices. The Per Capita Income or NDDP, At Factor Cost in the district during the period 2006-2007 was Rs. 24,143 at current price and Rs. 2,257 at constant 1999-2000 prices. The district is considered as one of the most backward region and receiving the Backward Region Grant Fund. Woollen, silk & artificial, ready-made garments & embroidery, wooden based furniture and thread based clothes small scale industries are available here. Sericulture is also a prime and suited industry of the district. Rice, potato, cabbage, pulses, brinjal and tomato are some of the main agricultural crops grown here.

Education wise, according to 2011 census, the literacy rate is 75.85% out of which 85.11% are males and 66.68% are females. The total number of literates in the district is 1,56,333 including 87,313 are males and 69,020 are females. The total number of illiterates in the district is 81,066 including 31,469 are males and 49,597 are females. In addition, according to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) for the period July 2023-June 2024 estimated literacy rate in the district is 95.98% including 98.28% are males and 93.50% are females (Age 7 Years and Above).

Thambal Marik College, Moirang College, Mangolnganbi College, Nambol L. Sanoi College, C.I. College, Kumbi College, S.k. Women's College, Th. Ibotombi Institute of Teachers' Training Education, Royal Academy Of Law, Loyola School and Ningthoukhong Mayai Leikai Primary School are some of the main educational institutes in the Bishnupur district.

Saumitra Khan is a member of the 16th Lok Sabha. He belongs to the All India Trinamool Congress. Thounaojam Chaoba Singh was the member of All India Congress Committee (Indira) from 1990 to 1997. He served as the deputy chief minister of Manipur in 1994. He was the part of the 11th, 12th and 13th Lok sabha. After 1997, he joined Bharatiya Janta Party. In 1999, he was appointed as the Union Minister of State, Culture, Youth Affairs and Sports.

In the year of 2019-20, there were total 106 Foreign Tourist who visited here. The district has several famous tourist places to visit. These places are Vishnu Temple, Loktak Project, Ningthoukhong, Sendra, Phubala, Loktak Lake, Keibul Lamjao National Park, Red Hill (India Peace Memorial), Loukoipat, Ina Memorial, Moirang. Vishnu Temple is a temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, built in 15th-century by King Kyamba. Loukoipat is a small natural lake with the surroundings of the hills. It is a picturesque tourist spot. Ningthoukhong is known for the local deities of Meetei such as Ibudhou Oknarel, Ibudhou Thangnarel and Ibudhou Panganba. There are many temples of these three deities. Ningthoukhong Gopinath Mandir and Radha Mandhav Hindu temples are also situated here. The Keibul Lamjao National Park is the only floating park in Manipur. It is a part of the Loktak Lake. Tourists can watch decomposed plant materials Phumdis and endangered Manipur Eld's deer.