ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA TO UNDERTAKE CONSERVATION OF INDONESIA’S HISTORIC PRAMBANAN TEMPLE, UNESCO

NEW DELHI — In a historic milestone for global heritage preservation and cultural diplomacy, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has been officially entrusted with the conservation of the legendary Prambanan Temple complex in Indonesia.

The major restoration project comes under the aegis of the newly formed India–Indonesia Collaborative Conservation initiative. The joint venture was formally launched by the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, alongside the President of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto.

A Monument of Shared Civilisational Heritage

Located in the Special Region of Yogyakarta, Prambanan is recognized globally as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dating back to the 10th century CE, it stands as Indonesia's largest Hindu temple complex.

The architectural marvel is renowned for its vast scale and profound spiritual symbolism:

• The Core Complex: The sprawling compound comprises 240 temples in total.

• The Trimurti Shrines: At its heart rise three magnificent central shrines dedicated to the Trimurti—Shiva (to whom the complex is primarily dedicated), Vishnu, and Brahma.

• The Vahanas: Directly accompanying the main shrines are three smaller temples built for their respective vahanas (divine mounts).

• The Epics in Stone: The towering walls of the central structures are adorned with meticulously carved bas-reliefs that visually narrate the epic saga of the Ramayana.

Renewing Ancient Ties for Future Generations

For cultural institutions and heritage scholars, this partnership represents far more than a structural restoration project. It is a profound testament to the enduring, centuries-old civilisational ties that bridge the Indian Ocean.

The collaboration highlights a deeply rooted, shared responsibility between New Delhi and Jakarta to protect and revitalise monumental expressions of Southeast Asian Hindu art and architecture. By combining India's extensive expertise in monumental conservation honed by the ASI across thousands of heritage sites with Indonesia's local stewardship, the initiative ensures that this irreplaceable jewel of human history remains structurally sound and vibrant for generations to come.

Source: ASI, 2026, Official Post on X.com, https://x.com/ASIGoI/status/2074802805836017976?s=20

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