Prabowo: Prambanan Temple a Reminder of 1,000-Year Indonesia-India Ties

President Prabowo Subianto has stated that the Ramayana epic reliefs carved into the walls of Prambanan Temple in Sleman Regency bear witness to the closeness of Indonesian and Indian civilisations, a relationship that has endured for more than 1,000 years. “Candi Prambanan is not merely a historical structure. It is a symbol of the great Nusantara civilisation that upholds knowledge, art, spirituality, and humanity,” Prabowo said, accompanied by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at the launch of an Indonesia-India collaboration for the conservation of Prambanan Temple in Sleman, Special Region of Yogyakarta, on Wednesday. “Candi Prambanan also holds special meaning for the Indonesian and Indian nations because the Ramayana reliefs carved on its walls are a witness to the closeness of our two civilisations,” Prabowo continued. According to Prabowo, PM Modi’s visit to Prambanan Temple carries special significance, as the temple is not only a symbol of Indonesia’s historical and cultural glory but also a reminder of the strong civilisational ties between the two countries. “This visit has special meaning. Candi Prambanan is not only a symbol of Indonesia’s historical and cultural glory, but also a reminder of the strong civilisational bonds that have existed between Indonesia and India for more than 1,000 years,” he said. On the occasion, Prabowo and Modi launched an Indonesia-India collaboration for the conservation of the Prambanan Temple cultural heritage. Both leaders also toured the main temple complex and greeted Hindu worshippers in the courtyards of the Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma temples. “On behalf of the government and people of Indonesia, I extend my highest gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his three-day state visit to Indonesia,” Prabowo said. The visit to Prambanan Temple was part of PM Modi’s state visit to Indonesia from 6 to 8 July 2026. He previously attended a state welcoming ceremony at Merdeka Palace in Central Jakarta and held a bilateral meeting with Prabowo along with delegations from both countries.