Arjun Rampal and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals India (PETA India) have donated a life-size mechanical elephant, Sankara, to Sri Kanchi Mahaswami Vidya Mandir in Tamil Nadu’s Chennai district – an initiative sponsored by Mulmul.
Today, Sankara was unveiled by Kalaimamani award-winning renowned actor Revathi Sankaran in the presence of Chairman of Sri Kanchi Mahaswami Trust, Dr. V. Shankar; Co-Founder and Chairman Emeritus of Blue Cross of India, Dr. Chinny Krishna; Mulmul representative, Niveditha; and Kanchi Mahaswami Vidya Mandir students and devotees. Sankara will be used to conduct ceremonies at the temple in a safe, cruelty-free manner, helping real elephants stay with their families in the forests. The initiative was facilitated by PETA India in recognition of the temple’s compassionate decision to never own or hire live elephants. This new mechanical elephant, Sankara, is the third mechanical elephant donation in Tamil Nadu, facilitated by animal protection groups and caring persons. With this addition, PETA India has donated 23 robotic elephants across the country. The mechanical elephant was welcomed with an inauguration ceremony and Oyillattam, Mayillattam, Karagattam, and Pulliattam performances.
Actor Arjun Rampal said, “It is a privilege to be part of this thoughtful initiative at Sri Kanchi Mahaswami Vidya Mandir. Our temples represent faith, strength, and tradition—but they also remind us of compassion. I commend PETA India for gifting this life-size mechanical elephant, ensuring that sacred ceremonies can continue with dignity and safety. When we protect and respect all living beings, we honour the very essence of God.”
Kalaimamani award-winning actor Revathi Sankaran said, “I am truly delighted to inaugurate Sankara and grateful to PETA for this wonderful initiative. Times have changed, and it’s time our traditions evolved with them. Animals must not be subjected to suffering or discomfort for the sake of rituals or celebrations. Robotic elephants are a compassionate and progressive alternative, whether for temple ceremonies or weddings. I urge everyone to think positively, embrace the technology, and commit ourselves to a simple principle: no animal should ever be hurt.”
The Chairman of Sri Kanchi Mahaswami Trust, Dr. V. Shankar, said, “Our temple stands for dharma, compassion, and respect for all life. By welcoming this initiative, we ensure that sacred rituals and celebrations align with these values. Sankara, the mechanical elephant, allows us to uphold tradition in a manner that reflects responsibility toward God’s creations. We hope it serves as an inspiration for many others to embrace faith with compassion at its heart.”
“This initiative beautifully demonstrates how innovation can protect animals while preserving culture” says Anuradha Modi of Mulmul. “At Mulmul, we believe in kindness for all living beings. We are proud to sponsor and partner with PETA India to bring mechanical elephant Shankara to Kanchi Mahaswami Vidya Mandir in ensuring that sacred ceremonies continue while real elephants are spared a lifetime of captivity and suffering.”
Elephants are intelligent, 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 being chained 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, often killing mahouts or other humans or animals.
Mechanical elephants are 3-meter-tall and weigh 500 kilograms. They are made with rubber, fibre, 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.
Sri Kanchi Mahaswami Vidya Mandir was established with the benign blessings of their Holinesses Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal and Sri Sankara Vijayendra Saraswathi Swamigal, the 69th & 70th peetadhipathis of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, which is one of the India’s most revered centres of Vedic learning and cultural preservation established by Adi Shankaracharya over 2,500 years ago. Guided by the philosophies and blessings of successive Peetadhipathis of the Kanchi Math, the Vidya Mandir seamlessly integrates traditional Gurukul-style instruction with modern CBSE education, nurturing young minds to be rooted in dharma, compassionate, disciplined in thought, and equipped to meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving world.
