ASI to undertake conservation of Indonesia's UNESCO-listed Prambanan Temple
Yogyakarta, July 9
The Archaeological Survey of India on Wednesday said it felt honoured to undertake the conservation of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Prambanan Temple in Indonesia under the India-Indonesia Collaborative Conservation initiative jointly launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.
In a post on X, the ASI said, "The Archaeological Survey of India is honoured to undertake the conservation of Prambanan Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia, under the India-Indonesia Collaborative Conservation initiative jointly launched by Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and President of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto."
Calling it a milestone in bilateral cultural cooperation, the ASI said, "This landmark collaboration is a testament to the enduring civilisational ties between India and Indonesia, reflecting a shared commitment to preserving our rich cultural heritage and passing it on to future generations."
The ASI noted that the Prambanan Temple, dating back to the 10th century CE, is Indonesia's largest Hindu temple complex dedicated to Lord Shiva.
"The sprawling complex consists of 240 temples, with three magnificent central shrines devoted to Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma. These are accompanied by three temples dedicated to their respective vahanas (divine mounts), while beautifully carved reliefs narrating the story of the Ramayana adorn the temple walls," it said.
Earlier on Wednesday, PM Modi and Indonesian President Prabowo jointly inaugurated the restoration project at the UNESCO World Heritage Site, marking a significant milestone in India-Indonesia cultural cooperation.
PM Modi offered prayers at the ancient temple and interacted with officials at the site. Crowds waving the national flags of both countries welcomed the two leaders as they arrived at the historic temple complex.
Earlier, Modi shared an aerial video of the temple on X, describing it as "The majestic Prambanan Temple."
On Tuesday, India and Indonesia exchanged a Letter of Intent for the India-backed conservation and restoration initiative at the temple complex following bilateral talks between Modi and Prabowo.
The discussions focused on strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries and promoting a peaceful and stable Indo-Pacific region.
Constructed in the 9th century, Prambanan is Indonesia's largest Hindu temple complex and is primarily dedicated to Lord Shiva. At its centre stands the 47-metre-tall Shiva temple, while the complex also includes shrines dedicated to Vishnu and Brahma, along with temples for their divine mounts.
Its intricate stone carvings depict scenes from the Ramayana and other Hindu epics, reflecting the deep civilisational links between India and Southeast Asia.
— ANI
Reader Comments
It's heartening to see India using its archaeological expertise to help preserve shared heritage. The Ramayana carvings at Prambanan are a reminder of how deeply Indian culture influenced Southeast Asia. But I hope the ASI also focuses on conserving our own less-known temples in India that need urgent attention.
Amazing! The Prambanan Temple is a gem of Hindu heritage. I visited it last year and the intricate stone carvings left me speechless. India-Indonesia friendship is getting stronger by the day. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳✨
While this is a welcome step for cultural diplomacy, I wonder about the cost and logistics. Could this money have been better spent on preserving endangered heritage sites within India? The ASI has a limited budget and many of our own temples are crumbling. Just a thought.
This is a brilliant soft power move by India! 🇮🇳🌏 Southeast Asia shares so much of our heritage – from Ramayana to temple architecture. The crowds waving both flags show the love Indonesians have for India. Proud moment indeed!
Impressive that India is sharing its conservation expertise globally. Prambanan's Shiva temple is 47 metres tall and its architecture is stunning. I hope this collaboration leads to more joint projects between India and Indonesia in the future.
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