India’s partnership to restore Indonesia’s 1,000-year-old Prambanan Temple adds to a growing list of overseas conservation projects. From Cambodia’s A…
1/10India to restore Indonesia’s Prambanan Temple: Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India and Indonesia will launch a conservation project for the 1,000-year-old Prambanan Temple. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will help restore smaller temples within the UNESCO World Heritage complex. (Image: PTI)
2/10Why Indonesia chose India: Indonesia has its own conservation experts but partnered with ASI because of its proven experience in restoring ancient stone monuments across Asia. The project also reflects the growing cultural partnership between the two countries under India’s Act East policy. (Image: PTI)
3/10Angkor Wat, Cambodia: India’s biggest overseas conservation project was at Cambodia’s Angkor Wat between 1986 and 1993. ASI restored damaged structures, improved drainage and conserved intricate stone carvings at the iconic Hindu temple complex. (Image: Canva)
4/10Ta Prohm and Preah Vihear, Cambodia: India’s work in Cambodia continued beyond Angkor Wat. Since 2004, ASI has restored Ta Prohm and also carried out conservation work at Preah Vihear Temple and Ashram Maha Russei. (Image: Canva)
5/10My Son Sanctuary, Vietnam: ASI began restoring Vietnam’s UNESCO-listed My Son Sanctuary in 2017 and completed the project in 2023. During the work, archaeologists also discovered an ancient Shiva Linga. (Image: Canva)
6/10Vat Phou, Laos: India has supported conservation at Laos’ UNESCO-listed Vat Phou since 2009. Originally built as a Shiva temple, the monument later became an important Buddhist place of worship. (Image: Canva)
7/10Thiruketheeswaram Temple, Sri Lanka: ASI has been involved in conserving Sri Lanka’s historic Thiruketheeswaram Temple since 2012. The restoration work is largely complete, although the renovated temple is yet to be formally inaugurated. (Image: Canva)
8/10Ananda Temple, Myanmar: India has also helped restore Myanmar’s Ananda Temple and supported conservation of earthquake-damaged monuments in Bagan, highlighting its expertise beyond Hindu heritage sites. (Image: Canva)
9/10More projects in the pipeline: India’s conservation work is set to expand further. ASI has prepared conservation plans for Nepal’s Pashupatinath Temple and surveyed more heritage sites in Vietnam, including Dong Duong Monastery and Nhan Tower, for possible future restoration. (Image: Canva)
10/10Heritage diplomacy beyond borders: India’s overseas conservation work covers Hindu, Buddhist and Islamic heritage sites. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, India has completed more than 50 cultural and heritage projects abroad and has around 25 more under implementation. The Prambanan restoration adds another chapter to India’s growing heritage diplomacy in Asia. (Image: Canva)