In a beautiful convergence of technology and compassion, life-sized robotic elephants are being introduced to Hindu temples across southern India — allowing centuries-old ceremonial traditions to continue while ending the suffering of captive animals.
Lifelike and Loved
Standing approximately 11 feet tall, these extraordinary mechanical creations can flap their ears, move their heads and eyes, swing their tails, and even spray water from their trunks — replicating the movements that devotees associate with blessings during religious ceremonies.
Artist and model creator Prasanth Prakashan builds the fiberglass and rubber elephants at his workshop in rural Kerala, where about 25 employees paint eyes, attach rubber tails, and fine-tune the lifelike mechanisms. PETA India purchases the mechanical elephants and donates them to temples that agree to stop using real animals.
A Growing Movement
Since 2023, at least 26 mechanical elephants have been deployed in temples across South India. The movement is expanding beyond religious ceremonies too — robotic elephants are now being used in election processions, wildlife sanctuaries for rides, and even wedding celebrations.
Kerala has approximately 400 captive elephants, down from nearly double that number in 2010, thanks to tighter restrictions on keeping elephants for shows and ceremonies. The mechanical alternatives offer a compassionate path forward that respects both tradition and animal welfare.
Culture Meets Compassion
At a recent temple unveiling in Kerala, hundreds of villagers gathered to witness their new mechanical elephant's first ceremony. Teacher Anita Sivan, who grew up watching real elephants in temple ceremonies, said the robot is "80 percent good" and that she's glad elephants won't face cruelty at her local temple anymore.
"The intention is to free the real elephants," Prakashan said. And with each new temple that makes the switch, that vision moves closer to reality.
Sources: The World (PRX), Smiley Movement, PETA India, Onmanorama, Khaleej Times
