Jackie Shroff and PETA Gift Mechanical Elephants to Preserve Tradition with Compassion

PETA India and Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff donated a mechanical elephant named 'Thaleeswaran' to the Nediyathali Sri Siva temple in Kerala, advocating against the use of live elephants in temple rituals. This initiative is part of PETA's ongoing efforts to provide safer and ethical alternatives to live elephants.

PETA India and Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff have teamed up to make a significant contribution to the Nediyathali Sri Siva temple in Kerala. Presented on Saturday, the life-size mechanical elephant, named 'Thaleeswaran,' symbolizes a movement towards compassionate alternatives to live animals in temple ceremonies.

The temple, historically renowned for its dedication to Lord Shiva, embraced the mechanical jumbo as part of its traditional practices, hosting an inauguration ceremony that featured a 'Panchari Melam' performance. Shroff, applauding this initiative, emphasized the importance of allowing elephants to live freely in their natural habitats, rather than being used in religious events.

PETA India has previously donated several mechanical elephants to temples across Kerala, advocating for ethical treatment of animals. These elephants offer realistic features and full functionality for rituals, while mitigating the risks and discomfort associated with live elephants. This progressive step aims to honor traditional practices while prioritizing safety and compassion.

(With inputs from agencies.)