Kerala Temple Introduces Mechanical Elephant For Performing Rituals
In a first in Kerala, a life-like mechanical elephant was on Sunday dedicated to the deity in a temple near here for performing daily rituals from now on, instead of a real pachyderm. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India joined hands with award-winning actor Parvathy Thiruvothu, and held the 'Nadayiruthal' ceremony of 'Irinjadappilly Raman', a robotic elephant, at Irinjadappilly Sree Krishna Temple in the district. PETA said Raman will help conduct ceremonies at the temple in a safe and cruelty-free manner and thereby supports real elephants' rehabilitation and lives in forests and end the horror of captivity for them. "An inaugural ceremony held today was followed by a performance by the percussion ensemble led by Peruvanam Satheesan Marar. Subjecting live elephants to the extreme loudness of the timpani is cruel, as it is damaging and distressing for live elephants," PETA said in a release. Ms Thiruvothu said these days we have ac...