Warm Moment Between Prabowo and Modi at Prambanan Temple
A warm atmosphere characterised the visit of President Prabowo Subianto with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Prambanan Temple in Yogyakarta. The two leaders appeared to chat amiably while taking in the beauty of the world heritage site.
Prabowo and PM Modi arrived at the location at 11.45 am local time on Wednesday (8/7/2026). Upon arriving at the largest Hindu temple complex in Indonesia, the two leaders were welcomed with a traditional Rama Sinta dance performance accompanied by gamelan.
This was Modi’s first visit to Prambanan Temple. The visit marks the start of cooperation to revitalise Indonesia’s largest Hindu temple complex.
Prabowo and the Indian PM rode a buggy car together to tour the temple area, including visits to the Nandi and Siva temples. The two listened to detailed explanations about the temple’s history as they made their way around the complex.
Modi Feels Honoured
Modi said he felt honoured to visit Prambanan Temple, which serves as a place of worship for Hindus. He noted that Prambanan is the second-largest Hindu temple complex in Southeast Asia.
“Today, here I have had the honour of offering prayers at the second-largest Hindu temple complex in Southeast Asia. This temple houses the sacred statues of Lord Shiva, Goddess Durga, and Lord Ganesha. For centuries, devotees have worshipped here with deep faith and devotion,” Modi said at the Prambanan Temple courtyard in Yogyakarta.
Modi said he had never expected to be able to pray at Prambanan. He described the moment as deeply sacred to him.
“Today, I also had the honour of offering prayers in the most traditional manner and paying my respects at this sacred temple,” he said.
“This has become one of the most sacred, most extraordinary, and most devoted moments of my life,” Modi continued.
Special Because Accompanied by Prabowo
He also said his visit was special because he was accompanied personally by Prabowo, whom he referred to as his friend.
“My friend President Prabowo, his presence here has made this event far more special. This occasion became even more meaningful because I had the opportunity to visit this sacred temple complex together with my friend, President Prabowo,” he said.
“I prayed here for stronger relations between India and Indonesia, to deepen the friendship between our peoples, for the welfare of the citizens of both our nations, and for rapid progress and prosperity for both countries,” Modi continued.
Happy Staying in Indonesia
Modi said he had a pleasant experience during his visit to Indonesia. He felt a sense of peace among Indonesia’s diverse society.
“This is my third day in Indonesia. Throughout this three-day visit, I have had a very, very pleasant experience staying here. I could feel the fragrance of life and the dynamism of its people,” Modi said.
Modi then expressed his gratitude to all elements of Indonesian society who have preserved the Hindu temple, which is more than a thousand years old. He emphasised that this heritage must be protected together.
“I want to thank all the citizens of this country for preserving this cultural heritage, as well as to the entire government and all the administrators who have contributed to this effort,” he said.
“Whether during the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in Lhasa, or when coming to this sacred temple in Indonesia, I could hear the sacred Mrityunjaya mantra resounding, ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ echoing. This is our shared cultural heritage,” Modi continued.
Prambanan Temple Restoration Cooperation
Modi committed to accelerating cooperation on the conservation and restoration of Prambanan Temple. He expressed confidence that this cooperation could bring benefits to Indonesia’s tourism sector.
“And at this temple in Yogyakarta, this magnificent temple complex, we are carrying out renovation work. This site is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site,” he said.
“I can assure you that after our joint renovation efforts, the number of tourists and devotees from India will grow exponentially in the years to come,” he added.
Modi pledged to continue protecting all cultural heritage connected to India. “And wherever and whenever we travel around the world, we can catch a glimpse of Indian culture and heritage,” he said.
As a concrete step from this visit, the cooperation will be realised through an agreement called the Indonesia-India Collaborative Cultural Heritage Conservation. The long-term restoration programme, scheduled to run from 2026 to 2036, will focus on restoring more than 200 ancillary temples in the second courtyard, most of which currently remain as ruins.
This ambitious restoration project will employ modern technological approaches, such as LiDAR surveys, artificial intelligence (AI)-based digital reconstruction, digital documentation, and anastylosis methods.
For context, Prambanan Temple, built in 856 AD by Rakai Pikatan and Rakai Kayuwangi, has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991. The complex comprises 240 temple buildings, with three main temples embodying the Trimurti concept (Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma) and architecture based on Vastu Shastra.
Prabowo Appreciates Modi’s Visit
Meanwhile, Prabowo expressed his appreciation for Modi’s visit to Prambanan Temple, describing the moment as highly special.
“Today I had the opportunity to accompany His Excellency the Prime Minister of India on a visit to Prambanan Temple, one of the great masterpieces of world civilisation and a cultural heritage that is the pride not only of the Indonesian nation but of the world. This visit holds very special meaning,” Prabowo said.
Prabowo said that Prambanan Temple is not only a symbol of Indonesia’s historical and cultural greatness, but also a reminder and proof of the civilisational ties between Indonesia and India that have been woven for more than a thousand years.
“Prambanan Temple is not only a symbol of Indonesia’s historical and cultural glory, but also a reminder of the strong civilisational ties that have been forged between Indonesia and India for more than 1,000 years,” he said.
Prabowo explained that the relationship between the two nations is not merely built through political, economic, and defence cooperation, but is also firmly rooted in shared cultural values and knowledge. He also thanked PM Modi for realising the conservation and restoration cooperation for Prambanan Temple, and praised the productive meetings held during PM Modi’s working visit to Indonesia.
“On behalf of the government and people of Indonesia, I extend my highest gratitude to PM Narendra Modi for his three-day state visit to Indonesia,” he said.
He expressed hope that cooperation between the two countries would grow ever closer, stronger, and mutually beneficial. “May the friendship between Indonesia and India grow ever stronger and closer, and continue to produce tangible and mutually beneficial cooperation for both nations and their peoples,” Prabowo concluded.