Richa Chadha marked Onam this year with a visit to a Kerala temple, where she joined the celebrations with her daughter Zuneyra. The actor visited Gurupuram Sree Maha Vishnu Temple with a special gift in tow, a life-size mechanical elephant named Gurupuram Arjunan.

Richa made the visit as part of an initiative highlighted in a joint Instagram post with PETA India. The mechanical elephant was gifted to the temple as an alternative to using a live elephant during ceremonial occasions.

The actor was present at the temple for the unveiling of Gurupuram Arjunan. She arrived with Zuneyra, who was dressed in traditional Onam attire, while Richa chose a classic white-and-gold sari for the occasion.

The unveiling was followed by Chenda Melam and a Thiruvathira dance performance, bringing a festive touch to the temple celebrations.

Richa Chadha on celebrating Onam with her daughter

For Richa, the visit was also an opportunity to introduce her daughter to the festival and its traditions.

“It was a very special feeling to be here in person and celebrate Onam in such a beautiful and culturally rich setting. To be there with my daughter made it even more special. To see her enjoy the festivities, colours and immerse her in the traditions felt truly special. We got a special Onam dress made for her to be dressed for the occasion. Our festivals, traditions are such an integral part of who we are. I believe that embracing our culture also means understanding how we can carry these traditions forward with greater compassion, with the aid of technology. There is something beautiful about witnessing a tradition being preserved that too, in a kinder and more thoughtful way of celebrating it," she said.

The actor’s visit brought together the traditional elements of the Onam festivities with the temple’s move towards a mechanical elephant for ceremonial purposes.

Temple President Kunhiraman Ayyangav, General Secretary K.K. Ram, Treasurer Rajeevan, K. Savithri, who received the 2026 Kerala State Farm Award for Karshakathilakam, and several devotees also attended the celebrations.

Richa Chadha’s work front

Richa was most recently seen in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s period drama ‘Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar’, which premiered on Netflix India.

Following her maternity break, the actor has signed a new comedy written by Amitosh Nagpal. The film, which is set in North India, is expected to go on floors soon and has been described as a light-hearted comedy.

Richa also has several other projects in the pipeline. She will produce and headline the dramedy ‘Akhri Somvaar’, which she has also written. The film looks at the social pressure women often face around marriage.

She is also set to make her international debut with the Indo-British drama ‘Aaina’.