Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto visited the historic Prambanan Temple complex in Yogyakarta on Wednesday. The visit marked the launch of a joint conservation and restoration project at the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The initiative aims to preserve one of Indonesia's most important cultural landmarks with support from India.

The visit highlighted the strong cultural partnership between India and Indonesia. It came a day after both countries exchanged a Letter of Intent to begin the conservation and restoration project. India will support the work through the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which will lead the project from the Indian side.

Prime Minister Modi arrived in Jakarta on Monday with a ceremonial red-carpet welcome. His visit to Indonesia is the first leg of his three-nation tour, which also includes Australia and New Zealand. The tour focuses on strengthening cooperation in trade, security and rare-earth minerals under the India-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established in 2018.

During a joint press meeting in Jakarta on Tuesday, Prime Minister Modi spoke about the historical importance of the temple. He said, "More than a thousand years old, the Prambanan Temple stands as a timeless symbol of the shared cultural heritage of India and Indonesia."

The conservation project and the visit to the temple reflect India's continued focus on cultural diplomacy. India has used cultural partnerships to strengthen ties with several countries, and this initiative further deepens its relationship with Indonesia.

Prime Minister Modi received a traditional welcome when he reached the Prambanan Temple complex. He then toured the ancient monument along with President Prabowo. The two leaders warmly greeted each other with a handshake and posed for photographs in front of the temple's iconic central spires. Their interaction reflected the close friendship between the two countries.

During the visit, officials presented Prime Minister Modi with details of the conservation project and the history of the temple. They displayed the information on a ceremonial panel titled "Indonesia-India Collaborative Cultural Heritage Conservation for Prambanan Temple Compound." The panel explained the design of the project and its expected outcomes.

A group of Indonesians also welcomed the Prime Minister with traditional chants and the gentle sound of ringing bells. The ceremony added a cultural touch to the official visit and showcased Indonesia's rich heritage.

Before arriving at the temple, Prime Minister Modi shared a photograph on X. The image showed him and President Prabowo warmly holding hands while travelling in an aircraft. Along with the photo, he wrote, "On the way to the Prambanan Temple from Yogyakarta with President Prabowo Subianto."

In another post on X, Prime Minister Modi shared a video showing an aerial view of the temple complex. He described the site by writing, "The majestic Prambanan Temple!"

The Prambanan Temple Compound is located in Yogyakarta and holds the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It lies around 17 kilometres northeast of Yogyakarta city. The temple is the largest Hindu temple in Indonesia and remains one of the country's most significant historical monuments.

The temple complex dates back to the 10th century. It is the largest temple in Indonesia dedicated to Bhagwan Shiva. The site represents an important part of the region's cultural and religious history. Visitors from around the world travel to Prambanan to admire its architecture and historical value.

According to UNESCO, three main temples rise at the centre of the complex. These temples feature detailed reliefs that illustrate the epic of the Ramayana. They are dedicated to the three major Hindu deities—Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. Three additional temples stand nearby and honour the animals associated with these deities.

The India-supported restoration project is expected to help preserve this centuries-old monument for future generations. The partnership also reflects the shared cultural roots between India and Indonesia. Through this initiative, both countries have taken another important step to protect a heritage site that connects their histories and traditions. The visit by Prime Minister Modi and President Prabowo underlined their commitment to preserving cultural heritage while strengthening bilateral ties through cooperation and mutual respect.