Raveena Tandon and her daughter, actor Rasha Thadani, in association with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India, have donated a life-size mechanical elephant, Airavata, to Karnataka’s Thousand Pillars Jain Temple at Swasthi Sri Bhattaraka Bhavana in Moodabidri. The donation marks the temple’s commitment to avoiding the use of live elephants.
Raveena Tandon, Rasha Thadani join PETA India, gift mechanical elephant to Karnataka’s thousand pillars Jain temple
As part of Moodbidri Swamiji Pattabhisheka’s Silver Jubilee celebrations, Airavata was inaugurated at the temple and welcomed with a Mangala Vadhyam performance. The Thousand Pillars Jain Temple is the first Jain temple in the world to adopt this technology. The mechanical elephant will be used for temple ceremonies in a safe and cruelty-free manner, reducing the need for captive elephants and allowing them to remain in their natural habitats.
Raveena expressed, “I feel truly blessed to be part of this sacred transformation. Elephants have always held a special place in my heart, and offering Airavata, a mechanical elephant, to the Jain temple is my humble way to honour timeless traditions while keeping elephant families together.” Rasha Thadani stated, “It fills me with peace to know that we can uphold our culture without separating mother elephants from calves. I pray that Airavata inspires many to walk the path of kindness. After all, compassion is the purest form of religious observance.”
Celebrating the visionary initiative by PETA India to equip temples in Karnataka with mechanical elephants, the Chief Swamiji of The Thousand Pillars Jain Temple, His Holiness Swasthi Sri Dr Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Pattacharya Panditacharyavarya Maha Swamiji Sri Digambar Jainmath Moodbidri said, “Welcoming Airavata into this sacred space fills my heart with immense happiness. We are reminded of Parasparopagraho Jivanam, the beautiful Jain principle that all life is interconnected and nourished through mutual care.”
The Swamiji added, “This offering brings together the soul of our tradition and the spirit of compassion. I hope Airavata touches every devotee’s heart, inspires a deeper journey towards kindness, humility, and spiritual awakening, and gently leads us all on that radiant path of ahimsa and harmony.”
Elephants are social, intelligent animals who thrive in the wild. However, in captivity, they are often subjected to harsh conditions and training methods to prepare them for use in processions and entertainment. Many are separated from their families and natural habitats, restrained with chains for long hours, and controlled with tools such as ankuses—batons tipped with steel points—that cause pain and fear.
Reports indicate that elephants in captivity frequently suffer from foot injuries, leg wounds, and health problems due to inadequate care, limited movement, and lack of proper nutrition. Under such stress, some elephants display aggression, leading to tragic incidents. According to data from the Heritage Animal Task Force, captive elephants were responsible for 526 human deaths in Kerala over a 15-year period. One elephant, Thechikkottukavu Ramachandran—considered among the most widely used in Kerala’s festival circuit—has reportedly been linked to 13 deaths, including those of mahouts, women, and other elephants, during his nearly four decades in captivity.
In 2025, Kerala reported at least 20 cases of captive elephants becoming aggressive, resulting in the deaths of six people, injuries to several others, and damage to property. Similar incidents have been recorded across the country. In 2024, at least 14 instances were reported in India where captive elephants attacked their mahouts or others in their vicinity.
More recently, elephants ran amok during the Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad, once again drawing attention to the risks and challenges associated with using elephants in religious and cultural events.
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