Renowned actor Sonakshi Sinha and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals India (PETA India) have donated a life-size mechanical elephant, Pallipuram Unikrishnan, to Pallipuram Sreekrishna Temple in Kerala’s Thrissur district. Today, Block Panchayat Member Smt. Sandhya Menon and other dignitaries unveiled Pallipuram Unikrishnan in the presence of Thantri of the temple Sri Annimangalam Narayanan Namboodiri, Chief Priest of the temple Sri Rajeev Parmeshwaran Namboodiri, Secretary of Yogkeshma Sabha Smt. Arya Antharjanam and temple devotees. It will be used to conduct ceremonies at the temple in a safe and cruelty-free manner, helping real elephants stay with their families in the jungle.
The initiative was facilitated by PETA India in recognition of the temple’s compassionate decision to never own or hire live elephants. Until 2024, the temple used three to five elephants for the annual Pooram celebrations. However, in a remarkable shift prioritizing animal welfare and safety of the devotees, the temple introduced mechanical elephant Irinjadapilly Raman during the Pooram celebrations and now do not want to return to using real elephants. This new mechanical elephant, Pallipuram Unikrishnan, is a landmark nineteenth robot donated to temples in India by PETA India and the tenth mechanical elephant in Kerala. The mechanical elephant was welcomed through an inauguration ceremony, and Panchari melam performance.
Actor Sonakshi Sinha, known for her compassion for animals, said, “This initiative is very close to my heart. Every creation of God deserves consideration and the arrival of the mechanical elephant, Pallipuram Unikrishnan, at the Pallipuram Sreekrishna Temple helps make freedom a reality for elephants. Pallipuram Unikrishnan is a beautiful example of how tradition and technology can come together for good.”
The Thantri of the temple, Sri Annimangalam Narayanan Namboodiri ji, said, “About two years ago, we introduced our devotees to mechanical elephant Irinjadapilly Raman. They loved the mechanical marvel and it also made our celebrations safe.” He continued, “We are truly delighted to welcome the mechanical elephant, Pallipuram Unikrishnan, who will now stay with us and be part of future celebrations.”
The Block Panchayat Member Smt. Sandhya Menon said, “We are incredibly happy to welcome mechanical elephant Pallipuram Unikrishnan to our temple. All the divine beings, like us, want to roam free and live safely with their families. Mechanical elephant will ensure safe and compassionate celebrations.”
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 being chained 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 500 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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