Kolar’s First Mechanical Elephant Procession Held by Shree Madh Nagalapura Veera Simhasana Matha, Supported by CUPA and PETA India

Inspired by the life-size realistic mechanical elephant named Niranjana of Yedyur Sri Siddalingeshwara Swamy Temple in Tumkur district, Shree Madh Nagalapura Veera Simhasana Matha took the compassionate step to conduct a first-of-its-kind procession featuring a mechanical elephant in Kolar today. The use of the mechanical elephant was facilitated by a Bangalore based NGO Compassion Unlimited Plus Action (CUPA) and PETA India. Until the previous year, during the same processions, this Matha had hired live elephants for festivals and has now decided never to own or hire live elephants.

Shree Madh Nagalapura Veera Simhasana Matha’s Chief Swamiji Shri Tejeshalinga Shivacharya Swamigalu, the priests, devotees, followers, and members of CUPA and PETA India joined the celebration and brought this mechanical elephant for a pradakshanam (procession) as part of the Math’s annual celebration. Devotees from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu attended.

“We used to hire live elephants, but now there is no need as there are mechanical elephants. The use of mechanical elephants keeps humans safe from attack and allows real elephants to remain in the jungles with their families.” – Shri Tejeshalinga Shivacharya Swamigalu, The Chief Swamiji of Shree Madh Nagalapura Veera Simhasana Matha

“CUPA is delighted to work with PETA India to allow elephants to live as God intended, in their jungle homes. We are grateful to Shree Madh Nagalapura Veera Simhasana Matha for conducting the procession with a mechanical elephant and setting a compassionate example for others to follow.” – Mrs. Sanober Bharucha, CUPA’s Honorary Secretary & Trustee

Elephants are smart, 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 chaining 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.

PETA India ignited the sympathetic movement of replacing live elephants in temples at the beginning of 2023 through a donation of a mechanical elephant to Irinjadappilly Sri Krishna Temple in Thrissur, Kerala, with the help of actor Parvathy Thiruvothu. Now, at least ten mechanical elephants are used in temples across south India, of which PETA India donated six. Mechanical elephants are 3-meter-tall and weigh 800 kilograms. They are made with rubber, fiber, 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.

Shree Madh Nagalapura Veera Simhasana Matha is a legendary spiritual adobe and an eminent pilgrimage centre dedicated to Lord Shiva. Located amidst nature, this temple draws hundreds of tourists and believers yearly because of its serene and spiritual atmosphere. The temple performs daily Rudrabhishek, which has made it a must-visit site for those who seek solace and cultural enrichment.