Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the iconic Prambanan Temple in Yogyakarta along with Indonesian President today. The visit underscores the deep cultural and civilisational ties that have connected India and Indonesia for over a thousand years.

 

Built in the 9th century, Prambanan is Indonesia’s largest Hindu temple complex and one of Southeast Asia’s finest architectural masterpieces. Originally comprising 240 large and small temples dedicated to Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, the complex stands as a remarkable testament to the spread of Indian cultural influence across the region. Its magnificent stone reliefs depict scenes from the Ramayana, reflecting how Indian epics crossed the seas and became an integral part of Javanese culture. Even today, this shared heritage lives on through Indonesia’s internationally acclaimed Ramayana Ballet, staged against the backdrop of the temple.

 

Yesterday, India and Indonesia announced a significant new initiative for the conservation and restoration of the Prambanan Temple Complex. Under this partnership, India, through the Archaeological Survey of India, will extend assistance for the conservation and restoration of selected structures within the UNESCO World Heritage Site, reaffirming the two countries’ shared commitment to preserving their common civilisational heritage. Over the centuries, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and the passage of time damaged many of the structures. Years of careful conservation have restored much of the complex, making Prambanan one of the world’s finest surviving examples of classical Hindu temple architecture.

 

Today’s visit by the Prime Minister, accompanied by the President of Indonesia, therefore carries special significance. It not only celebrates a shared cultural legacy spanning more than a millennium but also marks a renewed commitment to preserving this heritage for future generations. For All India Radio, from Yogyakarta, Indonesia, this is Utsav Parmar.