Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the iconic Prambanan Temple in Yogyakarta with the President of Indonesia on July 8 as part of his official visit to Indonesia. The visit reflects 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. The complex originally comprised 240 large and small temples dedicated to Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, and remains one of the finest examples of Indian architecture beyond India.
The temple’s stone reliefs depict scenes from the Ramayana, reflecting how Indian epics travelled across the seas and became an integral part of Javanese culture. Even today, the epic continues to live on through Indonesia’s celebrated Ramayana Ballet.
Over the centuries, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and the passage of time damaged many of the temples. Decades of restoration and conservation have brought much of the complex back to life, and today Prambanan stands proudly as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
India and Indonesia are now writing a new chapter in this shared heritage. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is partnering with Indonesian authorities for the restoration and conservation of several smaller temples within the Prambanan complex. The initiative reflects the two countries’ shared commitment to preserving a common cultural legacy for future generations.
The Prime Minister’s visit to Prambanan is therefore more than a diplomatic engagement. It is a celebration of a relationship shaped not only by geography and trade, but also by culture, faith and history. More than a thousand years after it was built, Prambanan continues to stand as a timeless bridge between India and Indonesia.
