Kochi:
Renowned actor Bhumi Satish Pednekkar, in collaboration with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India, has gifted a life-size mechanical elephant named Cherukunnu Karthikeyan to Sree Subramania Kshetra Yogam in Kerala’s Thrissur district. The initiative promotes cruelty-free religious practices while ensuring the safety of both animals and devotees.
The mechanical elephant was officially unveiled by Sri Sivaswamy, Managing Director of KMD Group, during a ceremonial inauguration held at the temple. The event took place in the presence of the temple’s President Sri Sethumadhavan T C, Kshetram Thantri Sri Vijayan Karumathra, Kshetram Melsanthi Sri Sivaprasada, Temple Secretary Sri Bobish V V, along with temple devotees and the support of Sri A R Sreekumar, Thrissur District President of the Bharatiya Janata Party. The inauguration also featured a traditional Melam performance, marking a warm welcome for Cherukunnu Karthikeyan.
The mechanical elephant will now be used for temple rituals and ceremonies, allowing the temple to uphold tradition while avoiding the use of live elephants. The initiative was facilitated by PETA India in recognition of the temple’s compassionate decision to never own or hire live elephants. Cherukunnu Karthikeyan is the 18th mechanical elephant donated to temples across India by PETA India.
Actor Bhumi Satish Pednekkar, speaking on the occasion, said,
“I’ve always believed that every living being—each creation of God—deserves freedom, love, and care. The arrival of the mechanical elephant Cherukunnu Karthikeyan at the Subramania Kshetra Yogam beautifully shows how tradition and technology can unite with compassion, allowing real elephants to live freely in their natural homes, just as they were meant to.”
Sri Sivaswamy, Managing Director of KMD Group, highlighted the practical benefits of the initiative, stating,
“Mechanical elephants are excellent as they save animals, are safe for people, and are cost-effective. I am very happy to be here today and join this initiative by Actor Bhumi Satish Pednekkar and PETA India.”
Temple President Sri Sethumadhavan T C expressed gratitude for the donation, saying,
“We are grateful to receive Cherukunnu Karthikeyan as a sacred addition to our temple. This meaningful gift allows us to perform our rituals with compassion while ensuring safety for devotees and animals alike.”
Elephants are highly intelligent and social animals who suffer greatly in captivity. Many elephants used in temple processions endure physical abuse, prolonged chaining, lack of veterinary care, and unnatural living conditions. According to data compiled by the Heritage Animal Task Force, captive elephants killed 526 people in Kerala over a 15-year period. One of the most frequently used elephants in Kerala’s festival circuit, Thechikkottukavu Ramachandran, has reportedly killed 13 individuals during captivity.
The mechanical elephants are three meters tall, weigh around 500 kilograms, and are made using rubber, fibre, metal, foam, mesh, and steel. Powered by five motors, they can move their head, ears, eyes, tail, and trunk, spray water, and even carry a seat on their back. Mounted on a wheelbase, they can be easily moved during temple rituals and processions by simply plugging into an electrical source.
PETA India, whose guiding principle states that “animals are not ours for entertainment,” continues to campaign against animal cruelty and speciesism.
