Life-Size Elephant With Flapping Ears: Meet Kerala Temple's Mechanical Elephant Mahadevan
Elephants hold a sacred status in Hinduism and are seen as representations of God. However, elephants are often kept captive in temples, in the name of religion. Reports highlight instances of abuse, such as in the case of elephant Joymala from Assam. But now, a Kerala temple is taking a step in the right direction, by instating a mechanical elephant.?
Life-like elephant with humougous flapping ears?
In a groundbreaking move, an ancient temple in Kerala has broken away from tradition by replacing live elephants with a life-size mechanical alternative ¨C a remarkable creation that even flaps its humongous ears!?
Actor Priyamani, along with the non-profit organisation People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India, presented Mahadevan, the newly-unveiled mechanical elephant, as a gift to the Thrikkayil Mahadeva Temple, in recognition of its newly-adopted cruelty-free policy.?
During a grand inaugural ceremony held on Sunday, Mahadevan was formally welcomed into the temple. This move is part of a broader initiative to rehabilitate these animals into their natural habitats.?
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"Advancements in technology have enabled us to preserve our rich cultural heritage while simultaneously ensuring the welfare of animals," said Priyamani.?
Efforts to reintegrate these animals into their natural habitat
Last February, the Irinjadappilly Sree Krishna Temple in Thrissur, Kerala, made history by becoming the first temple in the state to introduce a mechanical elephant for its festival.?
Named Irinjadappilly Raman, this 11-foot-tall robotic elephant was generously donated to the temple by PETA.?
Equipped with an ability to move its head, eyes, ears, mouth, tail, and trunk, the elephant is very life-like.?
The traditional use of captive elephants in temple festivals throughout Kerala has long been a subject of controversy.?
Mechanical elephants such as Mahadevan and Irinjadappilly Raman signify a shift towards compassion for elephants previously held in captivity and aligns with efforts to reintegrate these animals into their natural environments.
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