PETA India and CUPA’s Gift of Life-Size Mechanical Elephant to Participate in Raichur’s Shri 108 Savira Devara Samsthana Kille Bruhanmatha’s 20th Annual Sadbhavana Padayatra

For Immediate Release:

20 September 2026

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Bengaluru – People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals India (PETA India) and Compassion Unlimited Plus Action (CUPA) have donated a life-size mechanical elephant, Abhinava Gurupadha, to Shri 108 Savira Devara Samsthana Kille Bruhanmatha in Raichur, as part of the 20th annual Sadbhavana Padayatra, a revered annual tradition that takes devotees from the city Sri Matha to Kuchankeri. Today, Abhinava Gurupadha was unveiled by Shri N. S. Boseraju, Former Karnataka Cabinet Minister for Science and Technology and Minor Irrigation in the presence of; Shri Dr. S. Shivaraj Patil, Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA), Raichur City; Shri A. Vasanthakumar, Member of Legislative Council, Raichur; Shri Daddal Basavanagouda, MLA, Raichur Rural; Shri K. Shivanagouda Nayaka, Former MLA, Devadurga; Sri Shandamalla Shivacharya Mahaswamiji, Temple President other temple officials and devotees.

The initiative was facilitated by PETA India and CUPA in recognition of the temple’s compassionate decision to never own or hire live elephants. This new mechanical elephant, Abhinava Gurupadha, marks the 31st robotic elephant donation facilitated by PETA India across the country. It is the 10th donation in Karnataka and 1st in Raichur by PETA India and CUPA. The mechanical elephant was welcomed through an inauguration ceremony followed by a procession marking a meaningful and auspicious beginning to the Sadbhavana Padayatra. In the coming days, Abhinava Gurupadha will take part in the 9-day Dusshera celebrations and be paraded in the local Dusshera procession.

Photos and video of the inaugural launch are available upon request.

Shri N. S. Boseraju, Former Cabinet Minister, Government of Karnataka said: “Karnataka has a long-standing tradition of embracing both faith and innovation. The introduction of a mechanical elephant at this temple demonstrates how modern technology can support our cultural and religious traditions while encouraging more compassionate practices. Such initiatives show that progress and tradition can move forward together.”

Dr. S. Shivaraj Patil, MLA, Raichur City, said: “This initiative is a matter of pride for Raichur and an important step towards preserving the temple’s traditions in a responsible way. The mechanical elephant will allow devotees to continue experiencing the cultural significance of the elephant’s presence during celebrations, while also helping promote a safer and more sustainable approach to temple festivities.”

Sri 108 Saavira Devaru Shantamalla Shivacharya Mahaswamiji, Temple President, added, “For us, this is more than a new addition to the temple. It is a step towards celebrating our traditions in a way that reflects compassion and changing times. The mechanical elephant allows devotees to experience the beauty and dignity associated with our ceremonies, while giving us the assurance that no live elephant is put through the demands of temple festivities.”

Elephants are intelligent, active, and gregarious wild animals. In captivity, they are trained to be used in processions through beatings, the use of weapons and force. Most elephants held captive in temples and other places suffer from excruciating foot problems and leg wounds due to chaining to concrete for hours on end. Most are denied adequate food, water, veterinary care, and any semblance of a natural life. Under these hellish conditions, many elephants become intensely frustrated and lash out, sometimes killing mahouts or other humans or animals.

Mechanical elephants are 3-meter-tall and weigh 500 kilograms. They are made with rubber, fibre, metal, mesh, foam, and steel and run on five motors. A mechanical elephant looks, feels, and can be used like a real elephant. It can shake its head, move its ears and eyes, swish its tail, lift its trunk, and even spray water. They can be climbed upon, and a seat can be affixed on the back. They can be operated simply by plugging and playing with electricity. They can be taken through the streets and are mounted on a wheelbase, allowing them to be moved and pushed around for rituals and processions.

The Kille Bruhanmatha is described by the Karnataka Itihasa Academy as one of the oldest maths in Karnataka and a branch of the Rambhapuri Peetha. It is also recognised as one of Raichur’s important historic religious monuments.

PETA India – whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours for entertainment” – opposes speciesism, a human-supremacist worldview. For more information, please visit PETAIndia.com or follow the group on X, Facebook, or Instagram.

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