On Wednesday, 8th June, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto jointly inaugurated the conservation and restoration project of the UNESCO World Heritage Prambanan Temple complex in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The project marks a major step in cultural cooperation between the two countries and follows India’s commitment to support the restoration of the nearly 1,000-year-old Hindu temple complex under its Act East policy.
Built in the 9th century, the Prambanan Temple Complex is the largest temple complex in Indonesia dedicated to the Trimurti—Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. The temple complex stands as an enduring symbol of the shared civilisational and cultural heritage between India and Indonesia. The conservation project follows the understanding reached between the two leaders during President Prabowo’s State Visit to India in 2025, to explore India’s assistance for the restoration of the temples at the Prambanan complex.
The inauguration came a day after India and Indonesia exchanged a Letter of Intent to begin the restoration work with India’s assistance. The initiative is aimed at preserving one of Southeast Asia’s most important Hindu heritage sites.
India has had a successful track record of heritage restoration and conservation of several World Heritage Sites in Southeast Asia. ASI has also earlier undertaken extensive documentation of the Borobodur Temple Compounds in Indonesia.
PM Modi offers prayers at the ancient temple
During the visit, Prime Minister Modi offered prayers at the Prambanan Temple, which is dedicated to the Trimurti-Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma. He also interacted with officials at the temple complex.
The majestic Prambanan Temple! pic.twitter.com/pRS2S9X5gm
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 8, 2026
As the two leaders travelled by helicopter from Yogyakarta to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, PM Modi shared an aerial video of the temple on X and wrote, “The majestic Prambanan Temple.”
People carrying the national flags of India and Indonesia gathered along the roads to welcome both leaders as they made their way to the temple.
PM Modi recalls his spiritual connection with Lord Shiva
Speaking at the temple, PM Modi said he has always felt a special connection with Lord Shiva throughout his life.
He said he was born in Vadnagar, where the Hatkeshwar Mahadev temple is located, while the first Jyotirlinga, Somnath, is in his home state of Gujarat, where he had the responsibility of its development. He also spoke about representing Varanasi, home to Kashi Vishwanath Mahadev, and said he had been blessed with opportunities to contribute to the redevelopment of Kedarnath and Ujjain Mahakal.
Referring to the Prambanan restoration project, the Prime Minister said he considers it a great fortune to be associated with another important temple linked to Lord Shiva.
Cultural heritage connects India and Indonesia
Addressing the gathering, PM Modi thanked the people of Indonesia for preserving the grand heritage of the Prambanan Temple for centuries. He said the cultural bond between India and Indonesia continues to bring the people of both countries closer.
He said that whenever he speaks with people in Indonesia, he feels the fragrance of a shared culture, something that is also deeply rooted in India. According to him, this common cultural heritage connects people beyond geographical boundaries.
The Prime Minister also expressed gratitude to the people and past rulers of Indonesia for protecting and maintaining the temple complex with devotion for around 1,200 years.
Hope for more Indian tourists
PM Modi said he was deeply touched after hearing chants of the Mahamrityunjay Mantra and “Om Namah Shiva” at the temple. He added that with the beginning of the conservation and restoration work at the UNESCO World Heritage Site, he is confident that more Indian tourists will visit the Prambanan Temple in the coming years.
The Prambanan Temple is the largest Hindu temple complex in Indonesia and remains one of the country’s most important historical and cultural landmarks. The joint restoration project is expected to further strengthen the long-standing cultural and civilisational ties between India and Indonesia.
