Robotic elephants replace live ones at Indian temples to stop 'animal cruelty'

Robotic elephants are being used in temples across Southern India instead of the real animals, which are usually part of worship.

The machines, crafted by mechanical engineer Prasanth Prakashan in Kerala, mimic the movements of the real-life creatures, although they cannot walk.

About 40 of the robots have been donated to temples around India.

Mechanical engineer Prasanth Prakashan created the elephants. / Credit: AP

The new man-made creatures come after rising concerns about abuse and a number of dangerous incidents involving the animals.

Large male elephants have occupied an important place in sacred rituals and ceremonies in India for centuries.

Many traditionalists still believe robotic elephants don’t belong in temples.

K. Mahesh rents out his real-life elephant for festivals about 45 days a year. He believes elephants are holy.

“If you don’t believe elephants are sacred, what’s the point of a robotic elephant in a temple?” he asked.

While traditionalists and elephant owners say live elephants cannot be replaced because they represent the divine, activists are pushing for temples to switch to robots.

A group of Hindu devotees arrive for prayers, walking past two robotic elephants. / Credit: AP

Khushboo Gupta, vice president of policy at PETA India, said the aesthetic appeal of live elephants doesn’t justify shackling, beating and separating them from their families.

“Stressed elephants can also be deadly. For example, nine people died in 2024 from elephant rampages at Kerala temple festivals,” he said.

“These elephants are forced to stand there for hours in the heat, with large crowds, drums and fireworks.

“Any trigger could cause them to go on a rampage.”