‘Got an invite for 2029 inauguration’: PM Modi visits 1,000-year-old Prambanan Temple, lauds restoration bid

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accompanied by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, on Wednesday visited the "majestic" Prambanan Temple complex — a Unesco World Heritage Site — in Yogyakarta.

India and Indonesia, a day ago, exchanged a Letter of Intent (LoI) to start a project on the conservation and restoration of the temple complex with assistance from India.

During his visit to the temple, PM Modi said, "People of Indonesia took care of this sacred temple. I thank the people of Indonesia. President Prabowo has asked me to come back in 2029 to inaugurate this temple."

He said, "Whether it is the journey to Kailash Mansarovar in Lhasa or this sacred Prambanan Temple in Indonesia, the same chant echoes everywhere, the chanting of the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra. Everyone was chanting 'Om Namah Shivaya.' It was deeply touching."

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PM Modi arrived in Jakarta on Monday on the first leg of his three-nation tour, which will also cover Australia and New Zealand.

PM Modi and President Subianto visited the heritage site and inaugurated the Prambanan Temple restoration project in Yogyakarta.

A 1,000-year-old temple

The Prambanan Temple Compound, a Unesco World Heritage Site in Yogyakarta, is Indonesia's largest Hindu temple complex. Located about 17 kilometres northeast of Yogyakarta city, the centuries-old monument was built in the 10th century and is dedicated primarily to Lord Shiva.

At the heart of the complex stand three towering temples adorned with intricate reliefs depicting scenes from the Ramayana. These temples are dedicated to the three principal Hindu deities, Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma, alongside three smaller temples honouring their respective divine mounts, according to Unesco.

The galleries of the main temples are adorned with incredibly detailed stone bas-reliefs. Walking clockwise around the inner balustrades of the Shiva and Brahma temples reveals a continuous visual narration of the Ramayana epic. Meanwhile, the Vishnu temple features reliefs depicting the Krishnayana, tracking the life story and adventures of Lord Krishna.

Cultural legacy and living traditions

Historical sources indicate that the temple complex was built by the Sanjaya Dynasty around 850 CE. But the compound was mysteriously abandoned in the 10th century, likely due to a volcanic eruption of Mount Merapi.

Local folklore attributes its creation to the legend of Roro Jonggrang (the "Slender Virgin"), whose statue is identified by locals as the goddess Durga inside the northern chamber of the Shiva temple.

Today, Prambanan is a fully active functional temple used for modern Hindu ceremonies. It also hosts the world-famous Ramayana Ballet, performed outdoors with the illuminated spires acting as a backdrop.

PM Modi departs for Australia

After his Prambanan Temple visit, PM Modi emplaned for Australia, the second leg of his three-nation tour. PM Modi has a busy schedule in Australia, where he will hold bilateral summit talks with his counterpart Anthony Albanese and interact with the Indian diaspora.

Commenting on PM Modi's Australia visit, Canberra's envoy to New Delhi Phillip Green said his country was excited about the Indian prime minister's visit. He wrote on X (formerly Twitter), "A quick vibe check from Melbourne: the city is buzzing and ready to extend you a warm welcome. I've just arrived, and the excitement is palpable. A big week of conversations, connections and progress for the Australia–India partnership."

India and Australia are likely to discuss bilateral trade, rare earths, defence cooperation and Indo-Pacific security during PM Modi's visit.