Mechanical elephants like Kombara Kannan are 3-meter-tall, weigh 800 kilograms and are made from rubber, fiber, metal, mesh, foam, and steel.
Two-time 2025 Grammy nominee and sitarist Anoushka Shankar, along with PETA India, donated a life-size mechanical elephant, Kombara Kannan to the Kombara Sreekrishna Swami Temple in Thrissur on Wednesday. This generous gesture recognises the temple’s decision never to own or hire live elephants.
The mechanical elephant was unveiled by Sri Satish Vimalan, Secretary of Unnayi Variyar Memorial Kalanilayam and will be used to conduct ceremonies at the temple in a safe and cruelty-free manner.
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This approach ensures that real elephants can thrive in their natural habitats, free from exploitation and harm.
According to Sreekutty Raje, Lead Emergency Coordinator at PETA India, elephants are often subjected to cruel treatment and confinement when used for human purposes.
“Elephants are used for various purposes, including religious celebrations, where they are often forced to participate in loud and crowded events. This can cause them immense stress, leading to aggressive behaviour,” Raje explained.
To address this issue, PETA India has collaborated with Anuoshka Shankar to create a mechanical elephant that can replace real elephants in various settings. This mechanical elephant is designed to mimic the appearance and movements of a real elephant, providing a realistic and cruelty-free alternative.
Sreekutty Raje, Lead Emergency Coordinator at PETA India shares how mechanical elephants help real elephants stay with their families in the forests. 🌳 🐘🩵#MechanicalElephant #RoboticKombaraKannan@ShankarAnoushka pic.twitter.com/OAL2vlwoJX
— PETA India (@PetaIndia) February 5, 2025
Mechanical elephants like Kombara Kannan are 3-meter-tall, weigh 800 kilograms and are made from rubber, fiber, metal, mesh, foam, and steel.
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They are equipped with five motors, allowing them to shake their heads, move their ears and eyes, swish their tails, lift their trunks, and even spray water. These innovative creations can be climbed upon, and a seat can be affixed on their backs, making them an ideal substitute for live elephants in temple processions.
Kombara Kannan Elephant Launch Photo
“I’m elated to join hands with PETA India to donate Kombara Kannan, a marvellous mechanical elephant to the Kombara Sreekrishna Swami Temple,” said Anoushka Shankar.
“By bringing mechanical elephants like Kombara Kannan to temples, real elephants can flourish with their families in their native habitats, she added.”
The temple’s president, Sri Ravi Namboothiri, expressed his gratitude, stating, “In honour of our decision to never hire or own a live elephant for our temple rituals and festivals, we are thrilled to accept Kombara Kannan from Anoushka Shankar and PETA India. All of God’s creation deserves love and respect,” he added.
The Kombara Sreekrishna Swami Temple, believed to be centuries old, holds great significance for the local community.
The temple serves as a centre for religious and social gatherings, where devotees seek blessings, inner peace, and connection with the divine. The presiding deity, Lord Krishna, is revered as the playful yet wise eighth avatar of Vishnu.
Kombara Kannan Elephant Launch Photo
PETA India’s initiative has inspired at least twelve temples across south India to adopt mechanical elephants with seven of these donations facilitated by the organisation.
“Elephants are intelligent, social, and active wild animals that suffer greatly in captivity. They are often subjected to beatings, the use of weapons, and forced to train them for processions, said PETA India.”
The donation of Kombara Kannan is part of PETA India’s ongoing efforts to promote cruelty-free celebrations and protect elephants from exploitation.
