Indian Prime Minister Confident Prambanan Temple Conservation Will Draw More Indian Pilgrims
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he felt honoured to be part of the launch of the conservation of the Prambanan Temple complex, which is around 1,000 to 1,200 years old. He described Prambanan Temple in Yogyakarta as a cultural heritage holding profound historical and spiritual value.
“I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to begin the restoration and renovation work of this cultural heritage that is around 1,000 to 1,200 years old. I am very enthusiastic,” said Modi.
PM Modi also expressed his appreciation to the Indonesian people for successfully protecting and caring for Prambanan over the centuries. According to him, the launch of this conservation project will further increase the interest of tourists and pilgrims from India in visiting Indonesia, particularly Yogyakarta.
“I extend my deepest gratitude to the people of Indonesia for guarding and caring for this magnificent cultural heritage with such devotion,” said Modi.
He is optimistic that this conservation cooperation will further strengthen relations between the two countries, whilst also driving an increase in cultural tourism visits from India to Indonesia.
“I am confident that once this revitalisation project has begun, tourists and pilgrims from India will come to visit this place in ever greater numbers,” he said.
The Indonesia-India conservation cooperation will focus on the revitalisation of the Perwara temples surrounding Prambanan’s three main temples. Of the more than 200 Perwara temples that exist, only a small proportion have so far been successfully revitalised.
The two countries will conduct technical studies, strengthen scientific documentation, exchange conservation expertise, and develop preservation technologies for cultural heritage. Beyond physical restoration, the cooperation is also expected to build capacity in the fields of archaeology and conservation, whilst enriching knowledge of sustainable world heritage site management.
President Prabowo Subianto and PM Narendra Modi launched the Prambanan Temple conservation collaboration as a symbol of the closeness of Indonesian and Indian civilisations. The visit by President Prabowo and PM Modi was intended to observe and follow up on the restoration and conservation cooperation at the Prambanan Temple Complex.
The two leaders also monitored the temple from the air before discussing cooperation on the restoration of the historic site. PM Modi additionally said he felt honoured to receive the Adipurna Star, the highest honour awarded by the Indonesian Government. President Prabowo Subianto arrived at Yogyakarta International Airport in Kulon Progo Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta, on Wednesday (8/7).