India’s first to induct robotic elephant for ritual duties: The Irinjadappilly Sree Krishna Temple in Kerala’s Thrissur district is the country’s first to use a mechanical, lifelike elephant for temple rituals. The temple priests performed ‘Nadayiruthal’ or ceremonial offering to the deity, of Irinjadappilly Raman, a magnificent, lifelike mechanical or “robotic” elephant.
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People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India donated Irinjadappilly Raman to the temple, with the help of award-winning Indian film actor Parvathy Thiruvothu. ‘Irinjadappilly Raman’ will help conduct ceremonies at the temple in a safe and cruelty-free manner and thereby support real elephants’ rehabilitation and life in forests, ending the horror of captivity for them.
Head priest of the temple Rajkumar Namboothiri said:
- The majority of elephants in captivity in India, including Kerala, are held illegally or have been transported to another state without permission. Because elephants are wild animals that would not willingly obey human commands, they are trained and controlled through severe punishments, beatings, and the use of weapons with a metal-tipped hook when used for rides, ceremonies, tricks, and other purposes. Many have extremely painful foot ailments and leg wounds from being chained to concrete for hours on end, and most do not get adequate food, water, or veterinary care, let alone any semblance of a natural life.
- The frustration of captivity leads elephants to develop and display abnormal behaviour. At their wit’s end, frustrated elephants often snap and try to break free, running amok and so harming humans, other animals, and property.
- According to data compiled by the Heritage Animal Task Force, captive elephants killed 526 people in Kerala over a 15-year period.
- The chikkattukavu 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 beings – six mahouts, four women, and three elephants.