Kasaragod (Keralam), Aug 25 (PTI) Actor Richa Chadha and animal rights organisation PETA India have donated a life-size mechanical elephant to Gurupuram Sree Maha Vishnu Temple here.
It is the first temple in Keralam’s northernmost district to receive one.
The mechanical elephant, named Gurupuram Arjunan, was unveiled by Chadha and temple tantri (chief priest) Sree Iravil Krishna Das Vazhunnavar in the presence of temple administration officials on Tuesday, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals India said in a statement.
The mechanical elephant will enable the temple to conduct ceremonies in a safe and cruelty-free manner while helping ensure that live elephants remain in the wild with their herds, it said.
The initiative was facilitated by PETA India in recognition of the temple’s decision never to own or hire live elephants.
Gurupuram Arjunan is the 15th mechanical elephant donation in Keralam facilitated by PETA India, it said.
With this addition, PETA India has now donated 30 robotic elephants across the country. The mechanical elephant was welcomed at an inauguration ceremony, followed by a traditional chenda melam and Thiruvathira dance performance.
Chadha said she was thrilled to unveil Gurupuram Arjunan and witness the community embrace the mechanical elephant.
“It is heartening to see how innovation can help preserve cherished traditions while sparing living elephants a lifetime of suffering and exploitation. I am proud to partner with PETA India on this meaningful initiative. Standing before Gurupuram Arjunan, which so closely resembles a real elephant, is a powerful reminder that compassion and culture can go hand in hand,” she said, according to the statement.
Temple President Kunhiraman Ayyangav said the mechanical elephant would enable the temple to honour its traditions while embracing compassion for all living beings.
“We hope this initiative inspires more temples and communities to embrace such compassionate alternatives for the welfare of elephants and the safety of devotees,” he said.
Mechanical elephants are three metres tall and weigh about 500 kg. They are made of rubber, fibre, metal, mesh, foam and steel and are powered by five motors.
Designed to closely replicate the appearance and movements of real elephants, the machines allow temples to incorporate them into traditional ceremonies and processions.
They can shake their heads, move their ears and eyes, swish their tails, lift their trunks and even spray water.
The mechanical elephants can be mounted, with a seat affixed to their backs, and operated by plugging them into an electrical power source.
Mounted on wheelbases, they can be moved through streets and pushed around during rituals and processions, the statement added. PTI LGK SSK
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