India To Assist In Conservation Of Prambanan Hindu Temple In Indonesia: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (25 January) announced that India will collaborate with Indonesia to conserve the ancient Prambanan Hindu temple in the Southeast Asian nation.

PM Modi made the announcement during the joint press briefing with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, who is on a state visit to India from 25-26 January.

President Prabowo will also be the chief guest for India’s 76th Republic Day celebrations on 26 January.

"The relationship between India and Indonesia dates back thousands of years. Tales inspired by the Ramayana and Mahabharata, along with the Bali Yatra, are living testimonies to the continuous cultural and historical connections between our people. I am pleased that, after contributing to the preservation of the Borobudur Buddhist Temple in Indonesia, we will now also be supporting the conservation of the Prambanan Hindu Temple," PM Modi said.

Prambanan Temple, located approximately 17 km northeast of Yogyakarta, Indonesia, is a 9th-century Hindu temple complex dedicated to the Trimurti—the three principal deities of Hinduism: Brahma (the Creator), Vishnu (the Preserver), and Shiva (the Destroyer).

The temple compound, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the largest Hindu temple site in Indonesia and the second-largest in Southeast Asia after Angkor Wat.

The complex originally consisted of 240 temples, with the central building soaring to a height of 47 meters (154 feet), making it the tallest temple in the complex.

The architecture is characterised by its tall and pointed structures, typical of Hindu temple design.

The bas-reliefs of Prambanan depict scenes from the Ramayana epic, showcasing the artistic excellence of the period.

The temple complex is also known locally as Rara Jonggrang, which translates to "Slender Maiden," a name derived from local legends associated with the site.

Over the centuries, Prambanan faced challenges such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, leading to periods of decline and restoration.

Significant reconstruction efforts began in the early 20th century and continue to this day to preserve this architectural masterpiece.

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