Kannur’s First Life-Size Mechanical Elephant Gifted to Edayar Sree Vadakkumbad Shiva Vishnu Temple by Actor Vedhika and PETA India is Inaugurated by Award-Winning Child Actor Sreepath Yan on Children’s Day
Actor Vedhika and PETA India have donated a life-size mechanical elephant, Vadakkumbad Sankaranarayanan, to the Edayar Sree Vadakkumbad Shiva Vishnu Temple in Kannur in recognition of the temple’s decision never to own or hire live elephants. Vadakkumbad Sankaranarayanan was launched with the help of the award-winning child actor Sreepath Yan on Children’s Day (November 14) and was unveiled by Sri Riji. M, president of Kolayad Gram Panchayat. Vadakkumbad Sankaranarayanan 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.
In honour of the ‘Nadayiruthal’ ceremony of the mechanical elephant, the temple hosted a Carnatic music concert by the prominent Edayar brothers and a Panchavadyam performance by the renowned Kottayam Paduvilayi Panchavadya Sangam.
“I am honoured to be part of this meaningful initiative with PETA India, donating the life-size mechanical elephant, ‘Vadakkumbad Sankaranarayanan,’ to the Edayar Sree Vadakkumbad Shiva Vishnu Temple. This innovative step will ensure that temple ceremonies are conducted safely and respectfully without needing real elephants. By embracing this change, we allow these magnificent animals to remain in their natural habitats, living freely with their families. Together, we can celebrate tradition while promoting compassion and conservation.” – Vedhika.
“With a mechanical elephant like Vadakkumbad Sankaranarayanan, our old traditions and modern understanding of the needs of elephants to live with their families in their jungle homes can go hand-in-hand. I am delighted technology allows devotees to engage in sacred rituals in a way that is safe for both humans and animals.” – Kolayad Gram Panchayat president Riji M.
“Vadakkumbad Sankaranarayanan looks exactly like a real elephant. I am so excited to be part of this historic event.” – National Award-winning child actor Sreepath Yan.
“In honour of all the holy animals who wish to wander the land freely and safely with their loved ones, we are honoured to have Vadakkumbad Sankaranarayanan, a mechanical elephant, join us,” – Edayar Sree Vadakkumbad Shiva Vishnu Temple president Sri K. Narayanan Namboothiri.
“We are truly delighted to have Vadakkumbad Sankaranarayanan in our temple. He symbolises the compassion and respect that all of God’s creatures deserve,” –Edayar Sree Vadakkumbad Shiva Vishnu Temple secretary Manoj. K.E.
Many elephants in captivity in the country, including in Kerala, are held illegally or have been transported to a different state without permission. Elephants are incredibly clever, active, and gregarious wild animals. In captivity, they are trained to be used in processions by forcibly controlling them into obedience, including by beatings and the use of weapons to cause suffering. 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 15 years. 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.
PETA India advocates for all venues and events currently using elephants to switch to lifelike mechanical elephants or other means instead of real elephants. PETA India has already donated five life-size mechanical elephants – Irinjadappilly Raman to the Irinjadappilly Sree Krishna Temple in Thrissur, supported by actor Parvathy Thiruvothu; Mahadevan to the Thrikkayil Mahadeva Temple in Kochi, supported by actor Priyamani; Shiva to Jagadguru Sri Veerasimhasana Mahasamsthana Math in Mysuru, supported by actors Aindrita Ray and Diganth Manchale; and Baladhasan to the Pournamikavu Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, supported by actor Adah Sharma and Niranjana to the Yedyur Sri Siddalingeshwara Swamy Temple in Yediyuru supported by actor Samyukta Hornad, Karnataka’s Minister of Transport and Mazrai Sri Ramalinga Reddy, Kunigal MLA Dr.H.D.Ranganath and Karnataka Mahila Congress President Sowmya Reddy – in recognition of these temples’ decisions never to own or hire live elephants.
Edayar Sree Vadakkumbad Shiva Vishnu Temple in Kannur is an ancient temple, and an eminent pilgrimage centre dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, its main deities. Located on the serene riverbank in the Kannavam forests, the temple draws hundreds of tourists and believers each year because of its profound spiritual atmosphere. The temple’s rich history, stunning ambience, and spiritual significance, which now includes a mechanical elephant to conduct the rituals, have made it a must-visit site for those who seek solace and cultural enrichment.
