PM Modi’s Prambanan Visit Highlights India’s Commitment To Shared Heritage

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the historic Prambanan Temple in Indonesia on Wednesday underscores India’s sustained commitment to preserving and restoring shared civilisational and cultural heritage across Asia.

Ahead of the visit, India and Indonesia exchanged a Letter of Intent for an India-supported conservation and restoration project at the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Yogyakarta, further strengthening their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The agreement followed bilateral talks between Prime Minister Modi and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, during which both leaders discussed expanding cooperation and promoting peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Built in the 10th century, Prambanan is Indonesia’s largest Hindu temple complex and is dedicated primarily to Lord Shiva.

The site also features temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma, while its intricate stone carvings depict scenes from the Ramayana, reflecting centuries-old cultural and spiritual links between India and Southeast Asia.

The 47-metre Shiva temple stands as the tallest structure within the complex, which originally comprised 240 temples.

Since 2014, India has supported the restoration of several significant heritage and religious sites across neighbouring countries.

Since 2014, India has expanded heritage conservation across Asia. It rebuilt Bangladesh’s Ramna Kali Temple and restored several other temples, conserved Vietnam’s UNESCO-listed Mỹ Sơn Sanctuary, restored earthquake-damaged monuments in Myanmar’s Bagan, and supported the restoration of 28 heritage sites in Nepal.

India has also carried out conservation work at Cambodia’s Angkor Heritage Complex, Laos’ Vat Phou Temple, Bahrain’s Shreenathji Temple, and Sri Lanka’s Thiruketheeswaram Temple, reinforcing its commitment to preserving shared civilisational heritage.

Also Read: PM Modi To Begin Three-Day Australia Visit; Hold Talks With Anthony Albanese