Thrissur: Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff, in collaboration with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India, donated a life-size mechanical elephant named ‘Thaleeswaran’ to the Nediyathali Sri Siva Temple in Kodungallur, Kerala, on Saturday.

Thaleeswaran is set to be used in temple ceremonies, providing a safe and cruelty-free alternative to live elephants, allowing real elephants to remain in their natural habitats with their families in the wild.

This initiative, which was facilitated by PETA India, comes in recognition of the temple’s commitment to never own or hire live elephants for religious events.

Thaleeswaran marks the eleventh mechanical elephant donated by PETA India to temples, and the seventh in Kerala. The donation was celebrated with an inauguration ceremony, accompanied by a traditional Panchari Melam performance at the temple.

Jackie Shroff, one of Indian cinema’s most beloved actors with a career spanning over four decades and more than 200 films, is also renowned for his deep compassion for animals and environmental advocacy.

Reflecting on his gesture, Shroff said, “My heart lights up when I see God’s creations living happily. Elephants are not meant to stand on hard floors, carry people on their backs, or walk in circles with chains around their legs. God intended for them to splash in rivers, roam in forests, and just be elephants. That’s exactly why I’m donating Thaleeswaran, a mechanical elephant, to a revered temple in Kerala.”

“Thaleeswaran can shake its head and ears, bless, and be part of every celebration without anyone getting hurt. This way, our traditions stay alive, and so do the elephants, free and joyful in the wild. That, to me, is real devotion,” the actor added.

After the unveiling of the mechanical elephant, Member of Parliament Benny Behanan expressed his pleasure at inaugurating Thaleeswaran and praised the craftsmanship of the mechanical elephant.

“Though it looks like a real elephant, it is completely safe. Children can touch it, take photos, and enjoy its presence without any risk, bringing great joy to their hearts. It feels just like a real elephant, but with the added safety and compassion that makes it perfect for temple traditions,” Behanan said.

Suresh Babu, the president of Nediyathali Sri Siva Temple, shared their excitement in welcoming Thaleeswaran, seeing it as both a symbol of tradition and a tribute to all sacred beings created by the divine, who, like us, deserve to live freely and safely with their families.

“With this compassionate step, we can honour Lord Ganesha without causing distress to any living being. After witnessing several tragic incidents involving captive elephants attacking humans during festivals in Kerala, Thaleeswaran also helps ensure public safety. We encourage other temples to consider adopting mechanical elephants too, for the safety of devotees, the well-being of animals, and the continued grace of our cherished customs,” Babu said. (IANS)