India and Indonesia have taken a significant step towards preserving their shared civilisational heritage with the launch of a collaborative conservation initiative for the Prambanan Temple Compound, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Yogyakarta.
The decade-long project will focus on restoring the Pervara or subsidiary shrines, located in the temple’s second courtyard. Originally, the Prambanan complex comprised 224 such shrines arranged in four concentric rows. However, only six have been restored so far, while over 200 remain in various stages of ruin.
The conservation programme will begin in the north-east quadrant of the complex and will combine archaeological expertise with modern technology. Scientific investigations, AI-based digital reconstruction, advanced documentation, and the anastylosis method-where original stones are carefully reassembled in their original positions-will be used during the restoration.
Besides conserving the historic structures, the initiative also aims to strengthen scientific documentation, improve site management and drainage, and promote knowledge exchange and capacity building between India and Indonesia.
Built in the 9th century during the Mataram Kingdom, Prambanan is the largest Hindu temple complex in Indonesia and has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991. The collaboration underscores the enduring cultural and civilisational links between the two countries while ensuring that this architectural masterpiece is preserved for future generations.
