PM Modi Visits UNESCO-Listed Prambanan Temple in Indonesia. (Image: Internet)
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday visited the historic Prambanan Temple complex in Indonesia with President Prabowo Subianto, offering prayers at the nearly 1,000-year-old Hindu shrine dedicated to the Trimurti—Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma. The visit formed a key cultural highlight of his Indonesia tour and underscored the deep-rooted civilisational links between the two countries.
Travelling by helicopter from Yogyakarta to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Modi shared an aerial view of the sprawling temple complex on social media, describing it as "The majestic Prambanan Temple."
इंडोनेशिया के प्रम्बानन मंदिर में ॐ नमः शिवाय! pic.twitter.com/AuHupT2vSO
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 8, 2026
Speaking during the visit, Modi reflected on his personal association with Lord Shiva. He said he was born in Vadnagar, home to Hatkeshwar Mahadev, while Gujarat is home to the Somnath Jyotirlinga, whose development he has overseen. He also referred to representing Varanasi, where the Kashi Vishwanath Temple is located, and spoke about the redevelopment of Kedarnath and Mahakal in Ujjain.
"I consider it my great fortune that I have repeatedly received opportunities to serve places associated with Lord Shiva," the Prime Minister said.
The visit came a day after India and Indonesia exchanged a Letter of Intent to support the conservation of the Prambanan Temple complex during bilateral talks. The restoration initiative is part of broader efforts to strengthen the India-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and preserve shared cultural heritage.
The collaboration also reflects India's growing role in conserving heritage sites with historical links to Indian civilisation across Southeast Asia.
Located on Indonesia's Java island, Prambanan is the country's largest Hindu temple complex and the second-largest in Southeast Asia after Cambodia's Angkor Wat. Built in the 9th century during the Hindu Mataram Kingdom, it is believed to have been commissioned by King Rakai Pikatan and completed by his successor, Lokapala.
Originally comprising around 240 temples spread across nearly 40 hectares, the complex is centred around three towering shrines dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma, with the 47-metre Shiva Temple dominating the skyline. The temple walls feature intricate carvings depicting episodes from the Ramayana and other Hindu epics, illustrating the flourishing cultural exchanges between the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia through ancient maritime trade.
Prambanan was abandoned in the 10th century, likely due to political shifts in Java and eruptions from nearby Mount Merapi. Earthquakes caused further damage before restoration began under Dutch colonial administration in the 19th century. Major archaeological reconstruction between 1913 and 1953 revived the temple complex, which was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991.
The new India-backed restoration initiative is expected to deepen cultural cooperation while helping preserve one of Asia's most significant Hindu monuments for future generations.
