Shikhar Dhawan, PETA India, and CUPA Gift Life-Size Mechanical Elephant to Karnataka’s Srimad Nagalapura Veersimhasana Samsthana Matha

Renowned retired cricketer Shikhar Dhawan, PETA India, and Compassion Unlimited Plus Action (CUPA) have donated a life-size mechanical elephant, Lingarajeshwara, to Srimad Nagalapura Veersimhasana Samsthana Matha in Karnataka’s Kolar district.

Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Kolar, Sri Kothur G Manjunath; Member of Legislative Council, Chakkaballapura, Kolar, Sri Anil Kumar; Former Member of Parliament and Labour Minister of Karnataka, Sri B N Bachegowda; President of the Srimad Nagalapura Veersimhasana Matha, Sri Tejeshalinga Shivacharya Swami ji, Tumkur’s Hire Matha’s Dr.Shivananda Shivacharya Swami ji, Sri Chandravana Ashram Srirangapatnam’s Dr.Trinetra Mahant Shivayogi Swami ji, Ballave Samsthana Matha’s Sri Mahant Shivacharya Swami ji and Chikkakallubaru Matha Kanakpura’s Sri Shivananda Shivacharya Swami ji along with other dignitaries and Matha devotees, attended the unveiling ceremony of Lingarajeshwara, which will be used to conduct ceremonies at the Matha in a safe and cruelty-free manner, helping real elephants stay with their families in the jungle.

The initiative was facilitated by PETA India and CUPA in recognition of the Matha’s compassionate decision to never own or hire live elephants. In 2024, PETA India and CUPA also supported this Matha in conducting its first-of-its-kind procession in Kolar using a rented mechanical elephant, instead of a real one. This new mechanical elephant, Lingarajeshwara, is a landmark Sixteenth robot donated to temples in South India by PETA India. Out of those, PETA India has donated six mechanical elephants in Karnataka, of which five were in collaboration with CUPA, including the Muzrai Department-governed Yediyur Sri Siddalingeshwara Swamy Temple. The mechanical elephant was welcomed through an inauguration ceremony, followed by a procession.

Shikhar Dhawan’s compassion for animals is well known. The animal protection advocate and retired cricket champion said,  

“I have always believed in conserving our wildlife and creating a balance in our ecosystem. It is extremely fulfilling to be able to maintain that balance through my contribution towards the mechanical Lingarajeshwara at Srimad Nagalapura Veersimhasana Sansthana Matha. This is an innovative method to continue our deep- rooted traditions for generations to come.” 
– Shikhar Dhawan

“We are delighted to welcome mechanical elephant Lingarajeshwara to our Matha in respect of all the sacred beings created by the divine who, like us, want to roam free and live safely with their families.” He continued, “We hired real elephants until 2023, but traditions must evolve with times for the safety of the devotees and real elephants. In 2024, we used a mechanical elephant for the temple festival, and now the devotees are excited to welcome Lingarajeshwara to the Matha.”
– Sri Tejeshalinga Shivacharya Swami ji, The President of the Srimad Nagalapura Veersimhasana Samsthana Matha

“This initiative is a fine example of how age-old traditions can evolve with time while preserving their sanctity. By adopting a mechanical elephant, the Matha has set a compassionate precedent for others to follow.”

– Sri Kothur G. Manjunath, Hon’ble Member of Legislative Assembly, Kolar

From Left to Right: Mrs.Suparna Ganguly (Founder Trustee CUPA), Khushboo Gupta (Vice President of Policy, PETA India), Sri Chandravana Ashram Srirangapatnam’s Dr.Trinetra Mahant Shivayogi Swami ji, Tumkur’s Hire Matha’s Dr.Shivananda Shivacharya Swami ji, Chikkakallubaru Matha Kanakpura’s Sri Shivananda Shivacharya Swami ji, Dr.Sheila Rao (Founder Trustee CUPA)

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.

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.  

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