Jakarta, ThedailyID — Indonesia aims to restore 218 perwara temples at the Prambanan Temple Complex before 2029. The government accelerated the project through a cultural heritage partnership with India.
Perwara temples are smaller structures that surround the main temple in a temple complex.
Museum and Cultural Heritage (MCB) Head Indira Estiyanti Nurjadin said the government originally planned to complete the project within 10 years. However, discussions between President Prabowo Subianto and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi led both countries to target completion before 2029.
“The original plan gave us 10 years to complete the project. However, President Prabowo and Prime Minister Modi agreed to restore all remaining perwara temples before 2029,” Indira said at the Prambanan Temple Complex on Wednesday, July 8.
She admitted the target is ambitious. Even so, she believes both countries can achieve it.
Meanwhile, PT Aviasi Pariwisata Indonesia (InJourney) President Director Maya Watono described Prabowo and Modi’s visit as the official launch of the restoration project.
“This collaborative heritage partnership with India aims to restore more than 200 additional temples within the next three to five years,” Maya said.
She added that the project could strengthen Prambanan’s position as one of Southeast Asia’s leading cultural and spiritual tourism destinations.
InJourney, through its subsidiary InJourney Destination Management, will continue developing tourism in the area. Maya said the project also supports Indonesia’s nation-branding efforts.
She expects the restoration to attract more international visitors. It should also create economic opportunities for communities around Prambanan in Yogyakarta and Central Java.
Indira said India will help restore about one-quarter of the remaining perwara temples. That equals approximately 54 structures in the northeastern section of the complex.
She added that the partnership goes beyond financial support. Both countries will work together on conservation, knowledge sharing, digital documentation, and technologies such as 3D laser scanning, photogrammetry, and artificial intelligence.
The restoration team will also use the archaeological anastylosis method. This technique reconstructs monuments with their original materials whenever possible.
The project will begin about one month after both governments sign the Letter of Intent (LoI).
Indonesia’s Ministry of Culture, together with the Museum and Cultural Heritage agency and the Cultural Preservation Center (BPK), will lead the conservation work. India will send experts from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to support the project.
InJourney Destination Management President Director Febrina Intan said Prambanan will remain open throughout the restoration.
“We will not close the entire temple complex. Instead, we will apply a zoning system so restoration work and tourism activities can continue together,” she said.
She added that officials are still preparing the technical plans. They will determine temporary work zones after completing the project design.
Febrina remains confident that visitor activities will continue without major disruption during the restoration.
