PM Modi offers prayers at Prambanan Temple, 'Om Namah Shivay' chants fill the air
Synopsis
Prime Minister Modi's visit to the 10th-century Prambanan Temple in Yogyakarta was more than a photo opportunity — it came paired with a formal Letter of Intent for an India-backed restoration of one of the world's largest Hindu temple complexes, deepening India's civilisational diplomacy in Southeast Asia at a strategically pivotal moment.
Key Takeaways
PM Narendra Modi offered prayers at Prambanan Temple , Yogyakarta , on 8 July , with devotees chanting 'Om Namah Shivay' .
Modi and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto jointly inaugurated an India-backed restoration project at the UNESCO World Heritage Site .
India and Indonesia exchanged a Letter of Intent on 7 July for the Prambanan conservation project.
Built in the 10th century , Prambanan is the largest Hindu temple complex in Indonesia , originally comprising 240 temples .
The visit is part of a three-day state visit during which Modi also addressed the Indonesian Parliament and held bilateral talks with President Subianto.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered prayers at the Prambanan Temple in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, on Wednesday, 8 July, in a moment that underscored the deep civilisational ties between India and Indonesia. Devotees gathered at the UNESCO World Heritage Site joined the Prime Minister in chanting 'Om Namah Shivay', turning the visit into a resonant spiritual occasion.
Modi and Prabowo Inaugurate Restoration Project
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto jointly inaugurated a UNESCO World Heritage Prambanan Temple restoration project — an India-backed conservation initiative at the ancient complex. The two leaders were welcomed by large crowds lining the roads, many carrying the national flags of both countries.
The restoration commitment was formalised on Tuesday, 7 July, when India and Indonesia exchanged a Letter of Intent covering the conservation project. The exchange followed bilateral talks between Modi and President Subianto, during which the two sides discussed deepening their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and ensuring stability in the Indo-Pacific.
About the Prambanan Temple Complex
Built in the 10th century, Prambanan is the largest Hindu temple complex in Indonesia, dedicated primarily to Lord Shiva. At its centre stands the 47-metre (154-foot) Shiva temple — the tallest structure in the complex and one of the finest surviving examples of ancient Hindu architecture. The sprawling site originally comprised 240 temples, making it among the largest Hindu temple sites in the world.
The complex houses towering temples devoted to the Hindu trinity — Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma — along with shrines dedicated to their divine vehicles. Its stone walls are adorned with intricate reliefs depicting scenes from the Ramayana and other Hindu epics, reflecting centuries-old cultural links between the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.
Modi's Words on India-Indonesia Civilisational Bonds
Addressing the Indonesian Parliament on Tuesday, Prime Minister Modi emphasised the shared heritage that binds the two nations. 'India and Indonesia do not just share the sea; we also share our history. Our relationship is rooted in the legacy of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata... We are linked through magnificent monuments such as Borobudur and Prambanan. We are connected through Garuda, Indonesia's national emblem. We are connected through the joy and celebrations of the Bali Jatra festival,' he said.
Modi also shared an aerial view of the temple complex on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, writing: 'The majestic Prambanan Temple.' A subsequent post read: 'Om Namah Shivay at Prambanan Temple in Indonesia!'
Context of the Three-Day Visit
The Prambanan visit is part of Prime Minister Modi's three-day state visit to Indonesia. During the trip, he held bilateral talks with President Subianto, addressed the Indonesian Parliament, and attended a programme organised by the Indian community. The visit marks a significant diplomatic moment, with India extending its cultural and strategic footprint across Southeast Asia at a time of heightened focus on the Indo-Pacific order.
Point of View
Not merely a soft-power backdrop. What mainstream coverage underplays is the geopolitical subtext: with China deepening infrastructure ties across ASEAN, India's pivot to shared civilisational identity offers a differentiated — and harder-to-replicate — form of influence. The real test will be whether the restoration project is executed on schedule and with the transparency that UNESCO-linked sites demand.
NationPress
8 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did PM Modi visit Prambanan Temple in Indonesia?
PM Modi visited Prambanan Temple in Yogyakarta on 8 July as part of a three-day state visit to Indonesia. He offered prayers at the 10th-century UNESCO World Heritage Site and jointly inaugurated an India-backed restoration project with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, highlighting the deep civilisational ties between the two countries.
What is the Prambanan Temple restoration project?
It is an India-backed conservation initiative at the Prambanan Temple complex in Yogyakarta, formalised through a Letter of Intent exchanged between India and Indonesia on 7 July. The project aims to preserve the UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is the largest Hindu temple complex in Indonesia.
What is the historical significance of Prambanan Temple?
Built in the 10th century, Prambanan is the largest Hindu temple complex in Indonesia and was originally made up of 240 temples. Its centrepiece is a 47-metre Shiva temple, and its walls feature stone reliefs depicting scenes from the Ramayana, reflecting centuries of cultural exchange between India and Southeast Asia.
What did PM Modi say about India-Indonesia ties?
Addressing the Indonesian Parliament on 7 July, PM Modi said the two countries share not just the sea but also history, rooted in the legacy of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. He cited monuments like Borobudur and Prambanan, the Garuda national emblem, and the Bali Jatra festival as symbols of their enduring bond.
What else did PM Modi do during his Indonesia visit?
During his three-day visit, PM Modi held bilateral talks with President Prabowo Subianto, addressed the Indonesian Parliament, and attended a programme for the Indian community. The two sides also discussed deepening their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and Indo-Pacific stability.
