[9] These departments have existed since the reign of King Meidingu Hongnemyoi Khunjao Naothingkhong of Manipur in 662 CE.

There are five main deities in Sanamahism: Other important gods and goddesses include Panthoibi, Lainingthou Nongpok Ningthou, Lainingthou Koubru, Ibudhou Marjing, Thongalel, Wangbren, Eputhou Thangjing, Kounu, Nongshaba, Nongthang Leima, and Irai Leima.

The first mentions are found in the Cheitharol Kumbaba, the Court Chronicles of the kings of Manipur, starting from the king Nongda Lairen Pakhangba, who traditionally ruled for more than a century, from 33 to 154 CE, though modern scholarship, including Sujit Mukherjee, give a range of 21 years, from 33 to 54 CE.

The earliest accounts can be traced back to the formation of the Apokpa Marup by Laininghal Naoriya Phulo in 1930 at Cachar (present day Assam, India).

This marked the beginning of the revival of Sanamahism and the Meitei Mayek, original script of the Manipuri Language among other things.

The Brahma Sabha strongly opposed the movement and formally outcast 38 members of the Meitei Marup.

Massive drives were held reclaiming shrines of deiteis and adverting Hindu practices or worship to ancient old traditions of Sanamahism.

Notable movement was the seize of the idols of Sanamahi and Leimarel Sidabi from Hindu Brahmins which are now presently installed in the temple at First Manipur Rifles Ground, Imphal.

In the past, on 31 July 2002 and on 1 August 2003, the Manipur State Legislative Assembly had adopted similar resolutions to allot a unique code for the religion but did not get approved by the Central Government of India.

[15][16][17] Many Sanamahi practices are focused on food offerings to deities, combined with hymns, as well as oracular ritual in which priestesses become possessed by a god or goddess.

An offering formula to call up the gods, uttered by a priestess over a body of water during the Lai Haraoba festival, goes: Incarnate Lord, Lairen (Lai- God, Len- Supreme) Deity Pakhangba, O golden one, Goddess of the waters, Ruler of the rivers: Golden Goddess (Laisana) fair and beautiful one: For you, Lord and Lady, in order to call up your souls, We have poured the rice on the finest of banana leaves, And on it have placed the fertile egg and the langthrei buds.