Jackie Shroff, PETA to Donate Mechanical Elephant to Thrissur Temple

Swift Summary

• Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff and PETA India will donate a 3-metre-tall, 800-kg mechanical elephant named ‘Thaleeswaran’ to Nediyathali Sri Siva Temple in Kodungallur, Thrissur, Kerala.
• The donation acknowledges the temple’s commitment to not using real elephants.
• Thaleeswaran will be inaugurated by Benny Behanan MP and V.R. Sunil Kumar MLA on August 16, 2025.
• This is PETA india’s eleventh mechanical elephant donation overall and the seventh in Kerala through its initiatives.
• Following the inauguration ceremony, a panchari melam performance is scheduled.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The initiative represents an crucial shift towards ethical treatment of animals in religious contexts. By replacing real elephants with mechanical ones like Thaleeswaran, temples such as Nediyathali sri Siva Temple are setting an example for humane practices that uphold tradition while preventing animal exploitation. Kerala has historically faced challenges related to captive elephant welfare, making this contribution especially important as it blends cultural sensitivity with modern values. partnerships involving prominent figures like Jackie Shroff can amplify awareness of such efforts across broader populations. Continued adoption of these measures could encourage other regions and institutions to prioritize ethical alternatives for cultural or ceremonial purposes.

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