Trisha Krishnan Gifts Realistic Mechanical Elephant to Temples in Aruppukottai, Tamil Nadu, with People for Cattle in India
In a landmark move blending tradition with compassion, actor Trisha Krishnan and the Chennai-based NGO People for Cattle in India (PFCI) have donated a life-size mechanical elephant named Gaja to the Sri Ashtalinga Athisesha Selva Vinayagar and Sri Ashtabhuja Athisesha Varahi Amman temples in Aruppukottai. This initiative marks the first instance in the Madurai region – and the entire Virudhunagar district – where a temple has embraced a mechanical elephant for religious ceremonies.
Gaja, a meticulously designed mechanical elephant, is set to participate in temple rituals, offering a humane alternative to the traditional use of live elephants. This move aligns with a growing trend across South India, where temples adopt mechanical elephants to uphold cultural practices while ensuring animal welfare. The world’s first mechanical elephant in a temple, named Irinjadappilly Raman, was introduced in Kerala in 2023 by PETA India.
Trisha Krishnan, a celebrated actor, has long advocated for animal welfare. Trisha actively collaborates with organisations like PETA India and the Blue Cross of India to champion the rights and well-being of animals.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to be part of this beautiful moment. Devotion shines brightest when it’s rooted in compassion. Welcoming a mechanical elephant into our temple traditions is a celebration of kindness, innovation, and culture. We are honouring our heritage in a way that brings no harm, only harmony. This gesture stands as a proud symbol of progress, where faith and empathy walk hand in hand. I hope it inspires many more to embrace a future where love leads our rituals, and no being suffers in the name of tradition,” says Trisha Krishnan.
On the auspicious occasion of the Kumbabishekam festival, Gaja was welcomed to these temples and celebrated with a traditional mangala vadiyam performance, symbolizing a harmonious blend of heritage and ethical progress. PFCI facilitated this gift to recognise the temples’ commitment to abstaining from owning or hiring live elephants, reflecting a broader movement towards animal-friendly religious practices. By integrating technology with tradition, these temples set a precedent for compassionate worship, inspiring others to follow suit.
Mettukundu Gnanaveli Siddhar Sri Sankareswarar Swamigal, Temple’s Chief Swamiji shares, “Our faith teaches us that true devotion is expressing compassion. By welcoming this mechanical elephant, Gaja, into our rituals, we honour tradition and the feelings of the gentle beings who desire to be in their jungle homes. This step reflects the spirit of our religion—one that reveres life, love, and kindness for all creatures. Gaja represents more than innovation; it is a sacred step towards a future where no being is made to suffer at the hands of humans. Our religion is rooted in ahimsa, and with this gesture, we hope to set an example: that rituals can thrive not through force, but through love and empathy. Let our worship be as gentle as the elephants we seek to honour.”
Meanwhile, Arun Prasanna, Founder of PFCI, explains,
“Introducing mechanical elephants into temple rituals is a meaningful step towards ending the suffering of temple elephants while preserving the sanctity of our cultural and spiritual practices. Gaja showcases that devotion and dignity for all living beings can coexist beautifully. We are especially inspired by PETA India’s pioneering introduction of mechanical elephants, which encouraged us to bring this change to Tamil Nadu.”
Elephants are intelligent, social wild animals, yet they are subjected to harsh training methods involving beatings, chaining, and deprivation for use in temples, rides and other ‘entertainment’. Many suffer from severe foot injuries, malnutrition, lack of veterinary care, and the psychological trauma of isolation and confinement. Under such distressing conditions, elephants often become aggressive, leading to tragic outcomes. In Tamil Nadu, several temple-related incidents have highlighted this crisis: in November 2024, the elephant Deivanai at the Subramanya Swamy Temple in Tiruchendur fatally attacked and killed her mahout and his relative; in May 2018, Masini, an elephant in Trichy, trampled her handler to death during a ritual; and in September 2024, elephant Subbulakshmi at the temple in Kundrakudi died painfully from burn injuries sustained in a fire accident. These heartbreaking incidents reflect the deep suffering of elephants kept in temples, the growing danger to human lives and the urgent need for compassionate, state-of-the-art alternatives that respect both animals and tradition.
Last year, PFCI offered to donate a similar mechanical elephant to the historic Arulmigu Nachiyar (Andal) Temple in Srivilliputhur, Tamil Nadu. This compassionate gesture was made alongside a formal request to send the temple’s elephant, Jeymalyatha – also known as Joymala – to a reputed sanctuary for rehabilitation and long-term care. Jeymalyatha has been at the center of national concern following multiple reports and video evidence of abuse in captivity, sparking widespread public outcry and demands for her release. However, despite the significance of the offer and growing national attention on Jeymalyatha’s plight, there has been no official response or update from the temple authorities regarding the proposal or the elephant’s welfare.
