Robot Elephant Shines at Bengaluru Temple

In a compassionate move for animal welfare, actor Richa Chadha, in collaboration with PETA India and Compassion Unlimited Plus Action (CUPA), has gifted a life-size mechanical elephant named Neela Prabha to the Shri Chayadevi Shri Shanaishwara Swamy Kshetra in Bengaluru. This significant donation was made to honor the temple's commitment to never utilizing live elephants for religious ceremonies or processions.

Neela Prabha represents a technological marvel, standing three meters tall and weighing 500 kilograms. Constructed from durable materials like rubber, metal, and steel, it is equipped with five motors. This allows for the realistic movement of its head, ears, eyes, trunk, and tail, and it can even spray water, enabling the continuation of traditional rituals without harming live animals.

This initiative by PETA India, which has facilitated 28 such robotic elephant donations across India, highlights a growing trend towards ethical practices in religious institutions. Chadha expressed her pleasure in supporting this endeavor, emphasizing that the mechanical elephant preserves temple traditions while protecting real elephants, allowing them to thrive in their natural habitats. Temple administrator Adityanan lauded the move as a demonstration of evolving cultural practices that reflect kindness and responsibility.