Prabowo and Modi Visit Prambanan Temple, Fly Together by Helicopter

President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto and Prime Minister of the Republic of India Narendra Modi visited Prambanan Temple, Sleman Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta, on Wednesday (8/7/2026).

Upon arriving at Yogyakarta International Airport, Prabowo and Modi boarded a helicopter directly to Adi Sutjipto Airfield. Modi, dressed in an orange kurta, was personally welcomed by Prabowo.

During the flight, the Super Puma helicopter carrying both heads of state circled the Prambanan Temple twice. Upon arrival at the site, Prabowo and Modi watched a traditional Ramayana dance performance, listened to a presentation on UNESCO World Heritage conservation projects by Minister of Culture Fadli Zon, inaugurated an inscription, and participated in a photo session.

Also in attendance were Minister of Tourism Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijando, and President Director of Injourney Maya Watono.

The delegation also visited the Nandi Temple, received historical briefings regarding the Shiva Temple, and participated in the Shinta Pooja prayer procession at the Shiva Temple.

Previously, both nations had entered into a cooperation agreement to restore Prambanan Temple. The programme, titled the Indonesia-India Collaborative Cultural Heritage Conservation, focuses on more than 200 ‘perwara’ (subsidiary) temples within the second courtyard of the Prambanan complex. This long-term collaboration is scheduled to run from 2026 to 2036, utilising technical approaches including LiDAR surveys, AI digital reconstruction, anastylosis methods, and digital documentation.

Through this partnership, the objectives include physical site conservation, stronger scientific documentation, improved area management, enhanced cultural cooperation, and the transfer of expertise between Indonesia and India.

Fadli Zon explained that the revitalisation will focus on the smaller ‘perwara’ temples. To date, only six out of approximately 200 sites have been revitalised. He welcomed India’s interest in revitalising Hindu temples, although he did not disclose the specific value of the assistance provided.

“Not yet, they are still conducting their studies. However, we have already carried out significant revitalisations at Plaosan Temple, and soon at Sewu, Mendut, and others,” Fadli stated at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta on Tuesday (7/7/2026).