India is set to assist Indonesia in restoring the ancient Prambanan temple complex, a major Hindu shrine in Central Java. The restoration work is expected to be formally launched on Tuesday by Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.
Located about 17 km from Yogyakarta, Prambanan is dedicated to the Hindu trinity—Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu. It is described as Indonesia’s largest Hindu temple and among Asia’s biggest temple complexes, second only to Cambodia’s Angkor Wat.
The site comprises around 240 temples and is believed to date back to the 9th century. The central tower rises to about 154 feet, with the main Shiva temple flanked by shrines to Brahma in the north and Vishnu in the south. The surrounding walls feature carvings depicting scenes from the Ramayana, and UNESCO has recognised the complex as a World Heritage site.
The temple has suffered damage over time due to factors including political changes in the 11th century, the 2006 earthquake and volcanic activity. Indian officials said the Archaeological Survey of India will work alongside Indonesian authorities on the restoration.
In remarks cited in the report, Modi said he felt honoured to begin the restoration with President Subianto, calling Prambanan a symbol of shared cultural heritage between the two countries for more than a millennium.
