In a unique step towards cruelty-free temple traditions, Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff and PETA India have donated a life-size mechanical elephant to the historic Nediyathali Sri Siva Temple in Kodungallur, Kerala. The three-meter-tall, 800-kilogram robotic elephant, named Thaleeswaran, was gifted to honor the temple’s decision never to own or hire live elephants.

The inauguration ceremony featured a traditional Panchari Melam performance as the mechanical elephant made its debut. Jackie Shroff, expressing his joy, said that his heart lights up when animals live freely in their natural habitats. “Elephants are not meant to stand on hard floors or walk in chains. They should splash in rivers and roam forests. That’s why I’m donating Thaleeswaran to this revered temple,” the actor stated.

Congress MP Benny Behanan praised the initiative, noting that the mechanical elephant looks realistic yet ensures complete safety, making it an attraction for children and devotees alike. Temple president Suresh Babu called it a tribute to sacred beings, adding that this move allows devotees to honor Lord Ganesha without harming living creatures.

Thaleeswaran is the eleventh robotic elephant donated by PETA India and the seventh in Kerala. Built from rubber, fiber, metal, mesh, foam, and steel, and powered by five motors, the mechanical jumbo can shake its head, move ears and eyes, swish its tail, lift its trunk, and even spray water. It operates by plugging into an electrical source and is mounted on wheels for easy mobility during rituals and processions.

Other notable mechanical elephants donated by PETA India include Irinjadappilly Raman, Kombara Kannan, and Mahadevan across temples in Thrissur and Kochi. This compassionate initiative aims to protect elephants from exploitation while preserving temple traditions.

The Nediyathali Sri Siva Temple is one of Kerala’s most significant temples, known for its large west-facing Shivling and its deep historical roots dating back to the Perumakan dynasty.