Mechanical elephant ‘Gaja' gifted to temples in Aruppukottai
Chennai-based NGO People for Cattle in India and actress Trisha Krishnan donated a life-sized mechanical elephant named Gaja to Sri Ashtalinga Athisesha Selva Vinayagar and Sri Ashtabhuja Athisesha Varahi Amman Temples in Aruppukottai in Virudhunagar district.
According to a press release, the initiative marked the first instance in Madurai region and Virudhunagar district where a temple 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 elephants.
Additional Superintendent of Police Mathivanan unveiled the mechanical elephant Gaja. Gaja was introduced on the auspicious occasion of the Kumbabishekam festival at the temples. PFCI facilitated the donation to recognise the temples commitment to abstain from owning or hiring elephants, reflecting a broader movement towards cruelty-free religious practices. By integrating technology with tradition, these temples set a precedent for compassionate worship, inspiring others to follow suit.
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, named Irinjadappilly Raman, was introduced at a temple in Kerala in 2023 by PETA India, the press release said.
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