Prambanan Shiva Festival 2026: Strengthening Prambanan as a Center for Spiritual and Cultural Tourism

Suite event The month-long Prambanan Shiva Festival begins with the celebration of Shivaratri on January 17, 2026, at the Prambanan Temple complex on the border of Yogyakarta and Central Java. Thousands of Hindus from various regions will celebrate the worship of Lord Shiva, concluding with the Mahashivaratri ceremony on February 15, 2026.

The Shivaratri prayer is a ceremony for Hindus in the archipelago and around the world to collectively worship the god Shiva. It is seen as a turning point for deep reflection, self-reflection, and forgiveness. This celebration serves as a momentum to affirm Prambanan Temple's role as a cultural heritage site and a center of worship for Hindus in the archipelago and around the world.

"The Shivaratri celebration, packaged as part of the Prambanan Shiva Festival, is a concrete manifestation of Prambanan Temple's transformation into a spiritual center for Hinduism in the archipelago and around the world. Through the collaboration of various parties, Prambanan Temple is now not only an archaeological monument but also a center of worship and a gateway to spiritual awakening for Hindus in the archipelago and around the world," explained Gistang Panutur, Commercial Director of InJourney Destination Management, in Yogyakarta on Saturday (January 17, 2026).

The Prambanan Shiva Festival is a form of collaboration between various parties, including the Indonesian Ministry of Religion through the Director General of Hindu Community Guidance, the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism, the Indonesian Ministry of Culture, Parisada Hindu Dharma Indonesia (PHDI) and InJourney Destination Management.

The Shivaratri celebrations, which took place on January 17, 2026, took place at Garuda Field, Prambanan Temple Tourism Park. The event opened with the Shiva Grha Dance, depicting Lord Shiva as Nataraja performing a cosmic dance (Tandava) to melt the universe so that it can be recreated and symbolizes the eternal cycle of time through movement, rhythm, and fire.

Afterward, thousands of Hindus chant pujas and mantras of the majesty of Lord Shiva and chant the mantra of 1008 names of Shiva. This prayer takes place from 12:00 AM to 3:00 AM WIB and concludes with the Tilem Kepitu prayer. This prayer contains teachings and praises to God to convey life principles and spiritual teachings concisely, often as part of prayers or religious chants (Dharmagita).

The head of the Prambanan Temple Utilization Working Group, Nyoman Ariawan Atmaja, stated that the Shivaratri celebration at Prambanan Temple aligns with historical evidence recorded on the Wantil Inscription from 778 Śaka (856 AD). Nyoman emphasized that the Shivaratri celebration at the temple complex is not merely a tradition but also a reflection of its historical and spiritual significance.

"The Wantil inscription, dated 778 Śaka (856 CE), mentions a group of grand temples dedicated to the god Shiva, known as Shivagrha. So, Shivagraha is the original name of Prambanan Temple, the center of Shiva worship. That is one of the fundamental reasons why we are performing Shiva puja tonight at Prambanan Temple, and it is an opportune moment for contemplation and self-reflection by releasing all worldly ties and focusing on glorifying Shiva," he explained.

In addition to prayers, the opening of the Prambanan Shiva Festival also featured an exhibition of paintings by 150 artists from across the region. These paintings, representing the beauty and grandeur of Prambanan Temple, served as a meeting point between contemporary art and the cultural heritage of the archipelago.

"The Prambanan Shiva Festival also opened an auction for the paintings. The artists' diverse expressions, styles, and visual ideas blend with the sacred atmosphere of the temple, creating an artistic dialogue that enriches the artistic and cultural experience," explained Nyoman Ariawan Atmaja.

The Director General of Hindu Community Guidance of the Republic of Indonesia, I Nengah Duija, stated that with a spirit of collaboration and collective awareness, the momentum of Mahashivaratri 2026 must be a turning point in the glorification of Prambanan Temple as a center of worship for Hindus in the archipelago and the world.

"It's time for us to demonstrate that Hindus are ready to make Prambanan Temple not just a historical site, but also a gateway to the spiritual and economic awakening of the community," he explained.

Indonesian Deputy Minister of Tourism Ni Luh Puspa said that the holy day of Shivaratri is the right moment to maintain and develop tourism with character, which can provide meaningful experiences for tourists and sustainable benefits for the community and the environment.

"Let us together reflect on the meaning of this holy day of Shivaratri to deepen our wisdom, increase our spiritual awareness, and improve our personal qualities. May we draw closer to God, strengthen our inner peace, and build our character, thereby enabling tourism to make a positive contribution to the community and the surrounding environment," he explained.

Shivaratri activities at Prambanan Temple are the foundation for realizing character-based tourism by presenting deeper values ​​in the tourism experience.

"Spirituality-oriented tourism does not only focus on the physical exploration of a destination, but also includes self-reflection. There is also talk of inner balance, and also a more harmonious relationship with the local environment and culture," continued Deputy Minister of Tourism Ni Luh Puspa.

The Chairman of the Indonesian Hindu Dharma Council (PHDI), Wisnu Bawa Tenaya, emphasized that the universal meaning of Shiva's teachings is the basis of the festival, which is in line with the spirit of religious moderation.

"The values ​​of Shiva teach a balance between creativity, feeling, and will. This festival celebrates the awareness that unites humans, nature, and God in harmony. This is a concrete form of religious moderation, combining religious, cultural, and educational values ​​in a peaceful dialogue, and plays a vital role in building social harmony," explained Wisnu Bawa Tenaya.

IDM Commercial Director Gistang Panutur emphasized the principle of harmony as a key factor in developing characteristic tourism at the Taman Wisata Candi destination. This activity also prioritizes active involvement of the local environment and culture, providing a spiritual experience for tourists and providing sustainable benefits for local residents.

"The management invites all elements of society, the government, and the tourism industry to work together to preserve the glory of Prambanan Temple. With this spirit of collaboration, it is hoped that Prambanan Temple will continue to stand tall as a spiritual beacon, radiating harmony and promoting culture-based prosperity for the nation and the world," he concluded.