Dharma Times News: 10th July 2026
Why are we funding this Hindu temple in Indonesia, and why does it matter for Sanatan Dharma? Here is the tea.
On July 8th, PM Modi visited the Prambanan (प्रम्बानन) Temple Complex near Yogyakarta (योग्यकार्ता) in Central Java. Alongside Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto (प्रबोवो सुबियांतो), he inaugurated a major conservation project for this UNESCO World Heritage site, with an outlay of nearly 65 crores. This ten-year initiative will be led by the Archaeological Survey of India.
To understand its significance, we must go back to 850 CE. To counter the Buddhist Sailendra (शैलेन्द्र) Dynasty’s influence, Rakai Pikatan (रकई पिकातन), a Hindu king of the Sanjaya (संजय) Dynasty, built this massive complex to firmly re-introduce Shaivism in Java.
The site is dedicated to the Trimurti - Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh. The towering 47-meter Shiva temple sits at the center, surrounded by temples for their vahanas: Hamsa (हंस), Garuda (गरुड़), and Nandi (नंदी). The inner walls are also brilliantly carved with continuous bas-reliefs telling the story of the Ramayana.
The Shiva shrine features the Devi as Durga Mahishasuramardini (महिषासुरमर्दिनी). According to famous Javanese folklore, a princess named Roro Jonggrang (रोरो जोंगरंग) was cursed and turned to stone for tricking a prince whose marriage proposal she refused. Locals believe this Durga statue is the cursed princess.
Here is a crucial historical fact: the complex is believed to have originally housed 240 temples, which included 224 subsidiary shrines in the middle courtyard. Due to centuries of volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, these shrines fell into ruin. Today, out of those 224 subsidiary shrines, only 6 have been completely restored. This is exactly why the new ASI restoration project is so vital.
It is amazing that while Indonesia is a Muslim-majority nation, it fiercely preserves its profound Hindu history. Beyond Prambanan, we see this at Candi Penataran (चंडी पेनातरन) in East Java, and Candi Sukuh (चंडी सुकुह) and Cetho (चेथो) on Mount Lawu (माउंट लावू).
In Bali, Pura Besakih (पुरा बेसाकिह) was established by the revered sage Rishi Markandeya (ऋषि मार्कंडेय), Pura Tirta Empul (पुरा तिर्ता एम्पुल) is connected to Lord Indra, and Penataran Agung Lempuyang (पेनातरन अगुंग लेम्पुयांग) features the famous Gateway to Heaven.
These monuments prove that Sanatan Dharma did not just travel; it shaped civilisations globally. And initiatives like this are restoring that heritage for future generations.
Makes me so proud.