Suniel Shetty Gifts Mechanical Elephant to Karnataka Tavarekere Temple
Suniel Shetty Gifts Mechanical Elephant to Karnataka Tavarekere Temple
In a paradisaical
gesture in ethical treatment of animals, actor Suniel Shetty, along with NGOs People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India and Compassion Unlimited Plus Action (CUPA), gifted a life-size mechanical elephant named Umamaheshwara to the Shri Umamaheshwara Veerabhadreshwara Temple in Tavarekere, Karnataka.
The gift comes in recognition of the temple’s progressive decision never to own or hire live elephants, setting an example for compassionate traditions. The mechanical elephant allows devotees to continue cultural rituals without subjecting real animals to captivity or distress.
On Monday, 26 February Umamaheshwara accorded veteran actor Sunil Shetty a warm and festive welcome at the Shri Umamaheshwara Veerabhadreshwara Temple, with an inauguration ceremony filled with devotion and the rhythmic beats of Mangala Vadhyam. Tphe temple becomes the first in Davanagere district to embrace this technology.
Going forward, Umamaheshwara takes part in temple rituals, allowing traditions to continue in a safe and cruelty-free way.
The unveiling of Umamaheshwara was a grand affair, attended by several dignitaries and spiritual leaders. Member of the Legislative Assembly for Davanagere Constituency, Basavaraju V Shivaganga, officially introduced the mechanical elephant.
The event was graced by Dr. Dhananjaya Sarji, Range Forest Officer of Channagiri Range, former MLA Shwetha Viswanath, and K. Madal Virupakshappa.
The head of Shilamatha, Tavarekere, Renuka Shivacharaya Swamiji, also took part in the celebrations. Spiritual leaders Shri Rachoteshwara Shivacharaya Swamiji and Dr. Abhinava Sidaalinga Shivacharya Swamiji added to the auspiciousness of the occasion.
Suniel Shetty asserted that “Wild elephants are seed dispersers and help regulate climate change through their effect on trees. For the sake of elephant welfare and the Earth, he feels thrilled to work with PETA India and CUPA on this vital project that protects God’s creations while allowing us to engage in traditional rituals and ceremonies.h
As per Davanagere MLA Basavaraju V Shivaganga “Umamaheshwara looks just like a real elephant, we appreciate Shri Umamaheshwara Veerabhadreshwara temple and want to encourage other temples to use a mechanical elephant to end cruelty against captive elephants.”
Former MLA K. Madal Virupaskshappa said, “Umamaheshwara gifted to the Shri Umamaheshwara Veerabhadreshwara Temple is a great alternative since it is cruelty free.
In a bid to protect wildlife It will be good enough to promote and replace real elephants with mechanical elephants all over the country.
As per Chief Swamiji of the Shilamatha, Renuka Shivacharya, they are truly elated to welcome this mechanical elephant, Umamaheshwara, who will ensure their rituals are performed in the safest, most animal-friendly manner. They urge other temples to adopt a mechanical elephant instead of a real elephant at their respective locations.
A mechanical elephant is designed to look and feel just like a real one, making it a perfect ethical alternative for temple rituals. It can shake its head, flutter its ears, move its eyes, swish its tail, lift its trunk, and even spray water—bringing a lifelike presence without any harm to animals.
News Edit KV Raman
