Actor Parvati Nair Unveils a Life-Size Mechanical Elephant, Devi Dasan, at Thiruvananthapuram’s Sree Balabhadrakali Kshetram—an Initiative Sponsored by Action for Elephants UK and Facilitated by PETA India

On Friday, renowned actor Parvati Nair unveiled a life-size mechanical elephant, Devi Dasan, at Thiruvananthapuram’s Sree Balabhadrakali Kshetram at Perumkadavila. The initiative was sponsored by Action for Elephants (AFE) UK and facilitated by PETA India in recognition of the temple’s decision never to own or hire live elephants. Ms Nair’s husband, Aashrith Ashok, was also present.

Devi Dasan is the landmark tenth mechanical elephant donated to temples by PETA India. The mechanical elephant was welcomed through an inauguration ceremony and a Panchari melam performance. Devi Dasan will be used to conduct ceremonies at the temple in a safe and cruelty-free manner, helping real elephants stay with their families in the jungle. After performing the ‘Nadayiruthal’ ceremony of the mechanical elephant, the temple hosted a Panchavadyam performance.

“Technology is allowing us to perform our religious duties while assuring the safety of God’s creation. It gives me absolute pleasure to be part of this initiative with Action for Elephants UK and PETA India to allow devotees to participate in divine ceremonies in the safest, most compassionate manner.” – Parvati Nair

“We are extremely pleased to use mechanical elephant Devi Dasan in respect of all the beings created by God who want to live free and safe with their families just as humans do.,” – Sri Bhrama Sree Ganesh Lekshmi Narayanan Potti, Sree Balabhadrakali Kshetram Main Thanthri (priest).

 

“We are truly elated to welcome Devi Dasan, who will ensure our rituals are performed in the safest and most animal-friendly manner. In view of the recent horrific incidents in Kerala in which six humans were killed during festivals involving captive elephants, we request other temples to adopt a mechanical elephant instead of a real elephant.” – B Adarsh, President of the Sree Balabhadrakali Kshetram Trust

“We hope other advocates and groups will consider ways they can support this movement for humane change – maybe even set up a fundraiser of their own [for a mechanical elephant].” – Denise Dresner of Action For Elephants

 

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. According to figures compiled by the Heritage Animal Task Force, captive elephants killed 526 people in Kerala in a 15-year period. Thechikkottukavu Ramachandran, who has been in captivity for about 40 years and is one of the most often used elephants in Kerala’s festival circuit, has reportedly killed 13 individuals – six mahouts, four women, and three elephants.

Frustrated elephants attacking their mahouts, devotees, tourists, or others around them are becoming more common recently. Within the first two months of 2025, twelve captive elephants in Kerala used for processions and festivals became upset and killed six people on eleven different occasions, injured several others or damaged property.

PETA India ignited the sympathetic movement to replace live elephants in temples at the beginning of 2023. Now, at least sixteen mechanical elephants are used in temples across South India. PETA India donated ten to recognise the temples’ decisions to never own or hire live elephants. These mechanical elephants are now used to conduct ceremonies at their temples in a safe and cruelty-free manner, helping real elephants stay with their families in the jungle.

Mechanical elephants are 3-meter-tall and weigh 800 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.

Sree Balabhadrakali Kshetram is a 350-year-old ancient temple renowned for the annual 10-day festival commemorating the goddess’ birth. Thousands of devotees attend this festival. Sree Balabhadrakali Kshetram is the second temple in the district of Thiruvananthapuram to have a mechanical elephant. Devi Dasan is the sixth mechanical elephant donated by PETA India to a temple in Kerala.