Narendra Modi, Prabowo, and Prambanan Temple
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Denpasar (Atnews)—Global traveler Putu Suasta, an alumnus of Gadjah Mada University (UGM) and Cornell University, considers the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Prambanan Temple a very special and rare event.
The Prambanan Temple Complex, dedicated to the Lord Shiva, consists of Prambanan Temple, Sewu Temple, Bubrah Temple, and Lumbung Temple. As a complex, it has a total of 240 temples, forming the Prambanan Archaeological Park. It was built during the heyday of the Syailendra dynasty ruling in Java in the 8th century AD.
Prambanan Temple with a brilliant example of Hindu religious relief, while Sewu with four pairs of giant Dwarapala statues is the largest Buddhist complex in Indonesia, encompassing the Lumbung, Bubrah, and Asu (Gana) temples.
The Hindu temple is decorated with reliefs depicting the Indonesian version of the Ramayana epic, a masterpiece of stone carving.
With over 500 temples, the Prambanan Temple Complex represents not only an architectural and cultural treasure but also a tangible testament to the syncretism of Hinduism and Buddhism in the past.
The Prambanan Temple Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, symbolizes the cultural heritage having connected Indonesia and India for over a millennium.
Over 1,000 years of magnificent Hindu temples and shrines have been built in Southeast Asia, reflecting the extraordinary exchange of cultures, architecture, and spiritual traditions.
Among them stands Prambanan, the largest Hindu temple complex of Indonesia, where the stories of the Ramayana, Shri Krishna, and the Tri Murti (Hindu trinity) continue to be preserved.
Prambanan, a center of Hindu spirituality, was built in the 9th century, specifically around 850 AD. This temple was founded by Rakai Pikatan of the Ancient Mataram Kingdom and continued by King Lokapala and Sri Maharaja Dyah Balitung Maha Sumbu.
The Prambanan Temple Complex contains the original structures built in the 9th century AD. They collapsed due to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and shifts in political power in the early 11th century and were then rediscovered in the 17th century. This complex has never been moved or altered.
Restoration work has been underway since 1918, using both the original traditional method of interlocking stonework and modern methods using concrete to strengthen the temple structure.
Although extensive restoration work has been carried out in the past and more recently after the 2006 earthquake, great care has been taken to maintain the authenticity of the structure.
This reaffirms the belief that the Indonesian archipelago has been characterized by Javanese, Kapitayan, Hindu, and Buddhist civilizations, with its motto, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (unity in diversity), a harmony among the ethnic groups of the country.
President Prabowo and PM Modi affirmed this pluralism. Prabowo even agreed that PM Modi, as a Hindu leader from India with global influence, should help accelerate the reconstruction and conservation of Prambanan Temple.
“The Hindu community in Bali is quiet, less enthusiastic about the presence of PM Modi at the epicenter of Hinduism in Yogyakarta or Central Java,” said Putu Suasta, a cultural expert, in Denpasar on Wednesday (Jul 8).
On that occasion, the Indonesian Ambassador or Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, Mohamad Oemar, who is also the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Indonesia to France, and to Andorra and Monaco, continues to champion Prambanan at the United Nations.
Similarly, Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon, continues to actively preserve Prambanan, including with Hindu figures and the Indonesian Hindu Dharma Council (PHDI).
On that account, this agenda symbolizes strengthening cultural cooperation between the two countries which have shared historical and civilizational ties for centuries.
The visit to Prambanan Temple was part of the state visit of PM Modi to Indonesia. Through this agenda, Indonesia and India did not only strengthen bilateral relations in the political, economic, and strategic fields, but also reaffirmed the importance of cultural cooperation as a bridge of friendship between the two nations.
Additionally, the visit also marked the beginning of cooperation on the conservation of Prambanan Temple, a follow-up to the commitments agreed by both countries in the Indonesia-India strategic partnership.
In his statement the day before at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, PM Narendra Modi stated that he and President Prabowo would inaugurate the start of the Prambanan Temple conservation project.
According to PM Modi, the temple, which is more than a thousand years old, symbolizes the shared historical and cultural ties between Indonesia and India. The conservation cooperation is an implementation of the agreement reached by the two leaders during the Indonesia-India summit in 2025.
As a follow-up, the Indian government, along with the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, Indonesia, the Indonesian Heritage Institute, and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) have conducted a series of technical preparations, including field surveys and the preparation of a conservation project report.
Previously, the two countries also signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) for the Conservation and Restoration of the Prambanan Temple Complex as a result of the bilateral meeting between President Prabowo and PM Modi at the Merdeka Palace.
Throughout 2025, the cultural heritage area was visited by more than 2.3 million tourists, while by the second quarter of 2026, the number of visits had reached more than 1.3 million.
The trend reinforces the position of Prambanan Temple as a leading destination, continuing to develop into a cultural destination with a positive impact on the national economy and tourism. Through this collaboration, Indonesia and India are strengthening cultural cooperation and strengthening their 2,000-year-old historical relationship.
“The visit of Modi symbolizes the ongoing cultural agreement and enduring relationship between our two countries,” added Suasta, who is also the Founder of the Wisnu Foundation and Patron of the JARRAK NGO.
More interestingly, PM Modi highlighted the number 8 during his visit to Indonesia, particularly during his visit to Prambanan Temple on July 8, 2026.
India celebrated its Republic Day with great enthusiasm on January 26 last year. Twenty-six... 2 plus 6 equals 8, and the birthday of President Prabowo falls on the 17th, so 1 plus 7 also equals 8.
President Prabowo attended the Republic Day celebrations in Delhi as the Guest of Honor. During the visit, he held discussions with PM Modi on a wide range of issues.
One of the special remarks of Prabowo from that visit remains special to Modi: he stated that Prabowo has Indian DNA, a statement he repeated. It won the hearts of millions of Indians and touched the hearts of Indians.
The DNA he spoke of is made up of mutual trust shaped by shared heritage. It is shaped by shared memories. It is shaped by the ocean breezes that, for thousands of years, have carried our ships to our respective shores.
The DNA of Indonesian-Indian relations was shaped by Buddhist sages and monks who transcended territorial boundaries. This DNA was shaped by entrepreneurs who did not only trade spices but also built bridges between cultures.
This DNA has been forged by artists who embraced the Ramayana and Mahabharata in their own languages, while preserving their shared spirit.
In his comments, Putu Suasta, who has visited India seven times, welcomed the growing ties between Indian and Indonesian civilizations having existed for centuries.
This civilizational connection resulted in the ancient Sanskrit inscriptions in Kutai, dating back to the 3rd century AD. Such a cultural collaboration is what brought scholars from Indonesia to Nalanda University in Bihar.
Whether it is the Bali Jatra festival in Cuttack, the tradition of sailing on boats made from banana stems on the Mahanadi River, the Mahabharata performance through shadow puppetry, the Vesak pilgrimage, or the worship of Goddess Sri, the “collaboration” between India and Indonesia is clearly reflected in all these traditions.
“Today, I had the opportunity to accompany His Excellency, the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, Mr. Narendra Modi, to visit Prambanan Temple, one of the masterpieces of world civilization and a cultural heritage being a source of pride not only for the Indonesian people but also for the world,” said President Prabowo.
The Head of State explained that the visit had a very special significance because Prambanan Temple serves as a reminder of the strong ties between Indonesia and India having existed for more than a thousand years.
According to the President, the relationship between the two countries is not only built through political, economic, and defense cooperation, but is also rooted in cultural values, knowledge, and mutual respect passed down from generation to generation. “We can still see and feel the traces of this history today,” said the President.
Prabowo emphasized that Prambanan Temple is a symbol of the great civilization of the Indonesian archipelago, which upholds science, art, spirituality, and humanitarian values.
Furthermore, the reliefs depicting the Ramayana story carved on the temple walls testify to the historical and cultural closeness between the Indonesian and Indian nations.
“Prambanan Temple holds special significance for both the Indonesian and Indian peoples, as the carved reliefs depicting the Ramayana story bear witness to the close civilizations of our two nations,” said the President.
President Prabowo also expressed his hope that the visit would further strengthen the friendship between the peoples of Indonesia and India. He believes that culture is a bridge that can unite nations, strengthen mutual understanding, and build trust in facing future challenges.
“I do hope this visit will further strengthen the friendship between the people of Indonesia and India. Culture is a bridge that can unite nations, strengthen mutual understanding, and build trust to face the future together,” added the President.
On that occasion, President Prabowo also welcomed the agreement reached on the conservation and restoration of the Prambanan Temple Complex between the Governments of the Republic of Indonesia and the Government of the Republic of India.
The agreement is expected to be a concrete manifestation of collaboration between the two countries in protecting and preserving one of the cultural heritages of the world for future generations.
Concluding his statement, Prabowo also expressed his appreciation for three-day state visit of PM Narendra Modi to Indonesia. The Head of State expressed his hope that the friendly relations between the two countries would become stronger and continue to produce various concrete and mutually beneficial collaborations for both nations.
“On behalf of the Indonesian government and people, I express my deepest gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his three-day state visit to Indonesia. May the friendship between Indonesia and India grow stronger, closer, and continue to produce tangible, mutually beneficial cooperation for both countries and their peoples,” said Prabowo.
Both leaders unveiled a plaque marking the start of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) conservation and restoration project at the temple complex.
The temple complex stands as an enduring symbol of the shared civilization and cultural heritage of India and Indonesia.
The conservation project is a follow-up to the understanding reached between the two leaders during the State Visit of President Prabowo to India in 2025, to explore the possibility of Indian assistance in the restoration of the temples in the Prambanan complex.
India has a successful track record in the restoration and conservation of cultural heritage at several World Heritage Sites in Southeast Asia.
Previously, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has conducted extensive documentation of the Borobudur Temple Complex in Indonesia.
The support of India for the restoration and conservation of the Prambanan Temple Complex reflects the enduring commitment of the country to preserving the shared heritage of civilization.
According to PM Modi, the rich culture of Indonesia reminds him of the richness of his country. PM Modi believes these similarities are the glue binding the two nations, which has existed for more than 1,200 years.
“The cultural heritage of this nation reminds us of the fragrance of the cultural heritage we have in India. And this cultural heritage has united our two countries. And for more than 1,200 years, the people of this country have preserved this cultural heritage with commitment, perseverance, and devotion,” he explained.
PM Modi also revealed that he and President Prabowo have committed to completing the restoration of Prambanan Temple by 2029.
PM Modi even stated that he will return to Indonesia to inaugurate the temple complex once the restoration process is complete.
“Before you all, let me reaffirm my promise with our joint efforts. We will complete this work before 2029, and together we will celebrate its restoration and inauguration as a grand festival,” he said.
Furthermore, PM Modi expressed his confidence that the restoration of Prambanan Temple will further enhance the appeal of this world heritage site to tourists and pilgrims from India.
“In this magnificent temple complex in Yogyakarta, we are undertaking renovation work. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. I can assure you that, following our joint efforts in the renovation, the number of tourists and devotees from India will grow exponentially in the future,” he said.
On the occasion, PM Modi also expressed his gratitude for being able to say prayers at one of the largest Hindu temple complexes in Southeast Asia. He added that the visit to Prambanan Temple with President Prabowo was an opportunity to pray for the strong ties between Indonesia and India.
“I pray here for the strengthening of relations between India and Indonesia, for the strengthening of friendship between our peoples, for the well-being of the peoples of our two countries, and for the rapid progress and prosperity of our two nations,” added PM Modi.
Previously, he also revealed a history of collaboration between India and Indonesia that is as ancient as it is rich. In the past, Muaro Jambi in Sumatra was a sister institution to Nalanda. He is very pleased that today we are reviving this ancient tradition.
“As you know, Nalanda University has now been re-established in a new form. Many students from Indonesia have also enrolled there. This means that, in the 21st century, inspired by our shared past, our two countries are charting a path towards a new future,” he said.
India and Indonesia are close not only at heart but also as geographical neighbors. The distance between Great Nicobar Island in India and Aceh in Indonesia is about 150 kilometers.
There is one topic that always makes the headlines, and it is about the economy of India. Some will say that India has become a trillion-dollar economy, while others will talk about its GDP growth.
“Some will tell you how dramatic the economic growth has been over the last 10-12 years. You will also hear about one extraordinary achievement after another,” he explained.
Today, the economy of India plays a major role in driving global growth. Even when the world was hit by the COVID pandemic, the its economy did not stop. Even during the ongoing crisis in West Asia, the economy of India did not slow down. In fact, in the last quarter of the previous fiscal year, which ended in March, the growth rate reached 7.7 percent.
And then, 250 million Indians were able to overcome poverty, rise from adversity, and begin to live lives filled with pride and dignity.
“India and Indonesia are connected not only by our history, but also by a shared future. Our opportunities are the same, and so are our challenges. When International Yoga Day is celebrated, we practice yoga together. And when a crisis like a tsunami strikes, we stand together to face it,” he concluded. (GAB/002)
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