JAKARTA (INDONESIA), 08 July (H.S.): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday visited the historic 1,000-year-old Prambanan Temple in Indonesia along with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, where he offered prayers and participated in the launch of a joint conservation and restoration project for the iconic Hindu temple complex. The Prime Minister said he has always been blessed with opportunities to serve and remain connected to Lord Shiva.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi shared an aerial view of the Prambanan Temple, located in Yogyakarta on the island of Java, on his X account.

According to Indonesia's state news agency Antara, Prime Minister Modi and President Prabowo jointly inaugurated the conservation and restoration project for the Prambanan Temple complex. The two countries had exchanged a Letter of Intent on Tuesday to facilitate cooperation on the project.

In a video of the prayers performed at the temple, Prime Minister Modi said, In one way or another, I have always been fortunate to remain connected with Lord Shiva. After Somnath, Kashi Vishwanath, Kedarnath Dham and the Mahakal Temple in Ujjain, it is a privilege for me to contribute to the development of the Prambanan Temple.

The Prime Minister said the Prambanan Temple represents the shared heritage of India and Indonesia and stands as a living symbol of the deep historical and civilisational ties between the two nations. He added that the restoration project forms an important part of India's Act East Policy and cultural diplomacy, aimed at strengthening historical, cultural and people-to-people links across Southeast Asia. He said India and Indonesia would jointly undertake the restoration of the temple complex.

Wednesday marked the third and final day of Prime Minister Modi's visit to Indonesia. He is scheduled to depart for Melbourne, Australia, later in the evening.

Built in the ninth century, the Prambanan Temple is the largest Hindu temple complex in Indonesia and is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dedicated to Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva, the temple was originally known by its Sanskrit name, Shivagriha. Its main Shiva temple rises to a height of 47 metres. The temple complex suffered extensive damage during the devastating 2006 earthquake in Java.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Modi announced that India would assist Indonesia in conserving and restoring the millennium-old monument. The Archaeological Survey of India will work in collaboration with Indonesian authorities to preserve the heritage site.

Before visiting the temple, President Prabowo took Prime Minister Modi on an aerial tour of the Prambanan complex aboard a Super Puma helicopter. Carrying the two leaders and three other passengers, the presidential helicopter departed from Yogyakarta International Airport, circled the historic Hindu temple complex twice, and landed at the nearby Adisutjipto Air Base.

From there, President Prabowo and Prime Minister Modi travelled by road to the temple, where they were greeted by children waving Indian and Indonesian flags along the route. At the temple complex, Indonesia's Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon, welcomed the two leaders. They later watched a traditional dance performance based on the Ramayana.

Minister Fadli Zon briefed the two leaders on the ongoing conservation work at the ancient site. President Prabowo then invited Prime Minister Modi, the State Guest of Indonesia, to travel in Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya's ceremonial horse-drawn carriage.

One of the unique features of the Prambanan Temple is the intricate carvings depicting scenes from the Ramayana on its walls and stone panels. Ramayana performances continue to be staged in the temple's main courtyard, making it one of the finest surviving examples of classical Hindu architecture in Southeast Asia. The temple complex was also designated as a National Cultural Heritage Site by Indonesia in 1998.

Since 2014, India has played an active role in conserving shared cultural heritage across Asia. Its initiatives include the restoration of the UNESCO-listed My Son Sanctuary in Vietnam, conservation of the Thiruketheeswaram Temple in Sri Lanka, restoration of earthquake-damaged monuments in Myanmar's Bagan Archaeological Zone, and reconstruction of 28 cultural heritage sites in Nepal. India has also extended financial and technical assistance for the restoration of Bahrain's Shrinathji Temple, Bangladesh's Ramna Kali Temple and several other religious heritage sites across the region.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar