Bharat is spearheading a grand civilisational renaissance by actively restoring, conserving, and reclaiming sacred Hindu Mandirs and heritage sites across traditional spheres of influence, including Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Bahrain, and the UAE.
Far beyond mere diplomacy, these initiatives represent a proud reassertion of Bharat’s historic, spiritual, and civilisational footprint. By leveraging the unmatched technical expertise of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Bharat is revitalising its ancient cultural ties and projecting an assertive, heritage-driven global soft power that honours its sacred legacy on the world stage.
This report details 13 major initiatives showcasing Bharat’s civilisational resurgence through the restoration of sacred Hindu temples globally (2011–2026).
Prambanan Reclaimed: Bharat Restores Java’s Majestic Shiva Abode
During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic visit to Yogyakarta on July 7, 2026, Bharat proudly announced a grand partnership to conserve and restore Indonesia’s UNESCO World Heritage Prambanan temple complex. This magnificent 9th-century masterpiece, dedicated to the sacred trinity of Bhagwan Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma, stands as a towering testament to Southeast Asia’s profound Hindu roots. Through this decisive initiative, Bharat is not merely engaging in foreign diplomacy but actively fulfilling its civilizational duty to safeguard and revitalise the ancient, global footprint of Vedic heritage.
Preserving Ta Prohm: Reclaiming the Legacy of King Jayavarman VII
On April 10, 2025, the Archaeological Survey of India marked a monumental milestone in Cambodia by successfully leading the structural stabilisation and architectural conservation of the UNESCO World Heritage Ta Prohm temple. Originally built in the 12th–13th centuries by the devout ruler Jayavarman VII, this sacred site is being meticulously rescued from decay by Indian experts using unparalleled traditional and scientific methodologies. This high-profile project serves as a shining example of Bharat’s assertive cultural kootniti (diplomacy), breathing new life into the historic and spiritual arteries that connect the Indian subcontinent to the Khmer empire.
Triumph at My Son: Glorious Champa Hindu Shrines Restored in Vietnam
By July 31, 2024, the Archaeological Survey of India successfully completed the epic restoration of the A, H, and K temple clusters within the UNESCO World Heritage My Son Sanctuary in Quang Nam Province, Vietnam. Executed under a landmark 2014 bilateral framework with a robust funding allocation of 2.25 million USD, this comprehensive project has successfully resurrected ancient Cham Hindu shrines that weathered centuries of neglect and warfare. The triumphant reclamation of these sacred spaces stands as an undeniable victory for Bharat’s global heritage renaissance, firmly cementing the eternal civilizational bond shared between the Indian mainland and the ancient Champa civilisation.
Reviving Wat Phu: ASI Champions the Sacred Shiva Citadel in Laos
As of July 4, 2024, Bharat’s elite archaeological teams are actively deployed at the UNESCO World Heritage Wat Phu site in Champasak, Laos, spearheading the monumental conservation of this ancient mountaintop Hindu temple dedicated to Bhagwan Shiva. While the foundational bilateral agreement for this civilizational rescue mission was established in 2007, the ASI has been working tirelessly on the ground since 2009 to reverse structural degradation. This relentless endeavour showcases Bharat’s enduring commitment to protecting the shared spiritual fabric of the East, ensuring that this magnificent centre of ancient Hindu worship endures for generations to come.
A New Dawn in the Desert: PM Modi Unveils the Grand BAPS Abu Dhabi Mandir
In a historic triumph for Sanatan Dharma in the Middle East, Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially inaugurated the magnificent BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on February 14, 2024. Spanning 27 acres of desert land, this architectural marvel is the region’s first traditional Hindu stone temple, meticulously carved from pink Rajasthan sandstone and pristine Italian marble without using a single piece of structural steel. The grand manifestation of this sacred mandir represents a monumental leap for Bharat’s global spiritual influence, anchoring Vedic values and architectural brilliance in the heart of the Arab world.
Scientific Resurrection: Reclaiming the Ancient Holy Sanctuaries of My Son
On December 20, 2022, Bharat successfully concluded a highly sophisticated, multi-year scientific restoration of the historic A, H, and K temple groups at the My Son Sanctuary in Vietnam’s Quang Nam Province. Operating under the visionary October 2014 memorandum, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) utilised state-of-the-art conservation techniques to rebuild crumbling brick foundations, secure structural integrity, and train local Vietnamese experts in preserving Hindu iconography. This rigorous undertaking successfully restored the ancient glory of these sacred spaces, proving Bharat’s unmatched capability in safeguarding the physical remnants of the global Hindu diaspora.
Guarding Angkor Wat: Dr S. Jaishankar Reaffirms Bharat’s Civilisational Guardianship
On December 11, 2022, External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar proudly highlighted Bharat’s long-standing, indispensable role in the ongoing conservation and restoration of Cambodia’s legendary Angkor Wat temple complex, the largest religious monument in the world. For decades, the Archaeological Survey of India has deployed its finest minds to protect this awe-inspiring UNESCO World Heritage site from ecological and structural ruin. This sustained devotion directly reflects Bharat’s rising role as the natural guardian of global Hindu heritage, actively repairing and honouring the profound civilizational bridges built by our ancestors.
Justice for Ramna Kali Mandir: Resurrecting Dhaka’s Martyred Shrine
On December 17, 2021, the then-President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, proudly inaugurated the fully reconstructed Ramna Kali Mandir in Dhaka, Bangladesh, symbolising a historic victory against the forces of cultural erasure. This deeply sacred and historic Hindu temple had been brutally demolished by the Pakistani military during the genocidal 1971 liberation war. By stepping forward with full financial backing and technical solidarity to rebuild this martyred shrine, Bharat delivered a powerful message of spiritual resilience, reclaiming a vital anchor of shared cultural identity and Hindu heritage in the subcontinent.
Global Footprint Explores the Gulf: Revitalising Bahrain’s 200-Year-Old Shreenathji Mandir
On August 25, 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a grand 4.2 million USD (approximately Rs 30 crore) redevelopment project for the historic 200-year-old Shreenathji (Shri Krishna) Mandir in Manama, marking the first-ever visit of an Indian Prime Minister to Bahrain. Spanning a sprawling 16,500 square feet, the ambitious four-story complex was designed to feature an expanded sanctum sanctorum, traditional prayer halls, and modern cultural spaces. This bold initiative proudly showcases Bharat’s commitment to supporting the global Hindu diaspora while revitalising ancient trade and spiritual connections within the Gulf region.
Rescuing Preah Vihear: ASI Assumes Custody of Cambodia’s Sacred Border Mandir
On January 28, 2018, following a comprehensive bilateral agreement, the Government of Bharat authorised the Archaeological Survey of India to commence the crucial conservation and restoration of the UNESCO World Heritage Preah Vihear temple, a magnificent mountaintop shrine dedicated to Bhagwan Shiva in Cambodia. The intensive project focuses on executing scientific stone preservation, reversing severe structural decay caused by environmental factors, and transferring advanced archaeological skills to local technicians. Through this intervention, Bharat asserts its rightful role as a civilizational anchor, preserving majestic monuments of Vedic origin across the Asian landscape.
Honouring the East: PM Modi Inspects the Restoration of Bagan’s Ananda Mandir
On September 6, 2017, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the historic city of Bagan in Myanmar to personally inspect the exquisite conservation and restoration work being executed at the iconic Ananda Mandir by the Archaeological Survey of India. Unveiling a commemorative plaque to mark Bharat’s dedicated technical and financial contributions, the Prime Minister reinforced the deep, unbroken spiritual synergy between the two nations. This vital project highlights Bharat’s proactive neighbourhood diplomacy, which leverages shared sacred architecture to strengthen civilizational ties across the region.
Safeguarding the Abode of Pashupatinath: Strengthening the Sacred Core of Nepal
On December 22, 2014, the Government of Bharat launched a comprehensive technical and structural preservation blueprint for the ancient shrines within the revered Pashupatinath Mandir complex in Kathmandu, Nepal. The Archaeological Survey of India conducted exhaustive on-site assessments to formulate a scientific restoration strategy in absolute harmony with local traditions. By prioritising the safety of this supreme centre of Shaivism, Bharat reinforced its deep-rooted, eternal brotherhood with Nepal, ensuring the protection of a vital spiritual powerhouse of Sanatan Dharma.
Cultural Renaissance in Eelam: Restoring Sri Lanka’s Ancient Thiruketheeswaram Mandir
On November 2, 2011, Bharat announced a generous grant of 326 million Sri Lankan rupees (approximately 3 million USD) to spearhead the complete restoration of the ancient, war-ravaged Thiruketheeswaram Shiva Mandir in Mannar, Sri Lanka. Executed via the technical brilliance of the ASI and the Mamallapuram College of Architecture and Sculpture, this vital project aimed to revive the deeply bruised religious fabric of Northern Sri Lanka following decades of ethnic conflict. By rebuilding this historic temple, celebrated by saints in the ancient texts, Bharat proudly restored a vital pillar of global Tamil Hindu heritage and reaffirmed its spiritual sovereignty across the Indian Ocean.
These thirteen monumental restoration projects represent far more than routine diplomatic preservation; they are the proud hallmarks of a rising Bharat reclaiming its rightful role as the global guardian of Sanatan Dharma. From the ancient, towering shrines of Southeast Asia to the newly manifested mandirs in the sands of the Middle East, Bharat’s active reclamation of these sacred sites is a powerful, assertive declaration of its civilisational renaissance. By breathing life back into these historical sanctuaries, Bharat is not just conserving stone and mortar, but proudly restoring the glorious, unbroken spiritual thread that binds the world to its sacred soil, proving that its global footprint is defined by eternal heritage, cultural sovereignty, and unapologetic pride.
