PETA, Actor Priyamani Donate Life-Size Mechanical Elephant to Kerala Temple

Thiruvananthapuram: The People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India and actor Priyamani donated a life-size mechanical elephant to the Thrikkayil Mahadeva Temple in Kochi.

This mechanical elephant was donated to the temple for its rituals as the temple management decided to never own or hire live elephants.

The mechanical elephant, named Mahadevan, will be used to conduct ceremonies at the temple avoiding use of living elephants for the purpose.

As per a PETA release, this is the second such elephant being introduced in Kerala.

#Priyamani #MechanicalElephant #RoboticMahadevan pic.twitter.com/Wh3KFD5iFt

— PETA India (@PetaIndia) March 17, 2024

The inaugural ceremony for this mechanical elephant was held on Sunday at the Thrikkayil Mahadeva Temple.

“The advances in technology means we can maintain our rich cultural practices and heritage while ensuring that animals are not harmed,” Priyamani was quoted as saying in the release.

Thrikkayil Mahadeva Temple owner, Thekkiniyedath Vallabhan Namboothiri, said they were very pleased to use the mechanical elephant Mahadevan “in reverence to all of the animals created by God who want to live free and safe with their families just as humans do”.

Last year, the authorities at Irinjadappilly Sree Krishna Temple in Thrissur district, as part of their pledge to stop using live animals for any festivities, introduced a robotic elephant for temple rituals, a first in Kerala.