India to help conserve ancient Prambanan Temple in Indonesia

Why in News?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 7 July announced that India will assist Indonesia in the conservation and restoration of the over 1,000-year-old Prambanan Temple in Yogyakarta. India and Indonesia jointly launched the conservation project, reaffirming their shared civilisational heritage and strengthening cultural cooperation.

Conservation Initiative

As part of the project, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will collaborate with Indonesian authorities to restore and conserve several smaller temples within the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Prambanan Temple Complex. The initiative reflects India’s commitment to preserving shared cultural heritage.

Part of India’s Cultural Diplomacy

The conservation project is a key element of India’s cultural diplomacy and Act East Policy, aimed at deepening historical, cultural, and people-to-people ties with Southeast Asian nations. It also highlights India’s growing role in the preservation of global heritage sites connected to Indian civilisation.

About Prambanan Temple

The Prambanan Temple is located near Yogyakarta on Java Island, Indonesia, and is the country’s largest Hindu temple complex. Built in the 9th century AD, it represents the peak of classical Hindu temple architecture in Southeast Asia.

The temple complex is dedicated to the Hindu Trinity (Trimurti)—Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Brahma. Originally, the complex consisted of 240 temples arranged in three concentric square courtyards, reflecting advanced architectural planning.

The tallest structure in the complex is the 47-metre-high Shiva Temple, flanked by the Brahma Temple to the north and the Vishnu Temple to the south. The temple walls feature exquisite stone reliefs depicting the Indonesian version of the Ramayana, making it one of the finest examples of classical Shaivite art and architecture.

The Prambanan Temple Compounds were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for representing the pinnacle of classical Shaivite art and architecture in Indonesia. The site was also declared Indonesia’s National Cultural Property in 1998.

Source: DD News

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