For the first time in India, a mechanical elephant has been used for religious rituals. Photo: South China Morning Post
Kerala: Udi Nyada Palli Raman is the name of an elephant currently being used in religious rituals in a temple in Thrissur district of Kerala. It rolls its eyes, wiggles its ears, moves its trunk and tail, and has a moving mouth, but it is a fully robotic elephant.
With the efforts of an animal rights organization in India and actress Parvati Thrush, this mechanical elephant has been created by four experts at a cost of five lakh rupees, which looks exactly like a real elephant. According to animal rights experts, this will help protect animal rights in the country.
At present, a model of it exists in the Raman temple and is used in religious rituals. It is also the first mechanized elephant in the country, which also aims to prevent animals from stress and anxiety. Udi Nyada Palli Raman was kept at the temple for the first time this Sunday, where representatives of the organization said that standing the animal in front of the drums causes him stress and difficulty.
Not only are many elephants in captivity in the state of Kerala, they are sent to other states through a painful process. They are used in religious rituals, riding and other matters. However, this animal is happy in the natural environment and can become depressed and stressed by other activities. Experts have already said that the elephant is a very sensitive animal that has its own expressions and emotions.
This is the reason why elephants get out of control and attack humans. A total of 526 people have died due to elephants in Kerala in the last 15 years.