Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the iconic Prambanan Temple in Indonesia on Wednesday along with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, offering prayers at the nearly 1,000-year-old Hindu heritage site dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma.
During the visit, PM Modi highlighted his spiritual connection with Lord Shiva and described it as his good fortune to contribute to the development and restoration of several important Shiva temples in India.
The prime minister mentioned his association with temples including Hatkeshwar Mahadev in Vadnagar, Somnath Jyotirlinga in Gujarat, Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, Kedarnath and Mahakal Lok in Ujjain.
PM Modi Shares Glimpse of Historic Temple Complex
The Prambanan Temple in Indonesia visit came a day after India and Indonesia announced a joint conservation and restoration project for the ancient temple site.
PM Modi and President Prabowo travelled by helicopter from Yogyakarta to the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sharing an aerial view of the temple complex, PM Modi called it “the majestic Prambanan Temple.”
President Prabowo Subianto and I inaugurated the UNESCO World Heritage Prambanan Temple Compound Restoration and Conservation Project. This initiative is a shining example of the enduring civilisational bonds between India and Indonesia, rooted in a shared heritage that has… pic.twitter.com/Fy8FoBvJ8X
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 8, 2026
The restoration initiative is expected to strengthen cultural cooperation between India and Indonesia while preserving one of Southeast Asia’s most important Hindu monuments.
India-Indonesia Strengthen Cultural Partnership
During bilateral talks, both leaders exchanged a Letter of Intent for the preservation and restoration of the temple complex.
The Prambanan Temple in Indonesia represents centuries-old civilisational links between India and Southeast Asia. The project is also seen as an important step under India’s Act East policy to promote cultural and historical cooperation with Indonesia.
Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to expanding their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and working towards a peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
History and Significance of Prambanan Temple
Located on Java Island, the Prambanan Temple in Indonesia is the largest Hindu temple complex in the country and the second-largest Hindu temple complex in Southeast Asia after Cambodia’s Angkor Wat.
Spread across nearly 40 hectares, the temple complex originally included around 240 temples. It was built during the 9th century under the Hindu Mataram Kingdom and is believed to have been commissioned by King Rakai Pikatan.
The main temples inside the complex are dedicated to the Hindu Trinity — Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma. The Shiva Temple, rising around 47 metres, is the largest and most impressive structure at the site.
UNESCO Heritage Site With Ancient Indian Conn$ections
The walls of the Prambanan Temple in Indonesia feature detailed carvings depicting stories from the Ramayana and other Hindu scriptures, reflecting the deep cultural exchange between India and Southeast Asia.
The temple complex was abandoned around the 10th century due to political changes and natural disasters, including earthquakes and volcanic activity. Restoration efforts began in the 19th century, with major reconstruction carried out during the 20th century.
Prambanan was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991 and remains one of Indonesia’s most important cultural and tourism landmarks.
The Prambanan Temple in Indonesia visit by PM Modi has once again highlighted the shared historical and spiritual connections between India and Indonesia. The upcoming restoration project is expected to protect this ancient heritage site while further strengthening relations between the two countries.