Tribhuvana Tilaka Chudamani Basadi, a thousand pillar Jain temple at Moodbidri in Dakshina Kannada, became the first temple in Mangaluru region and world’s first Jain temple to have a life-size mechanical elephant ‘Airavata’, which was unveiled at the basadi on Friday.
It was gifted by actors and mother-daughter duo Raveena Tandon and Rasha Thadani and the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India.
It is three metres tall and weighs 800 kg, and is made with rubber, fibre, metal, mesh, foam, and steel, and runs on five motors.
It can shake its head, move its ears and eyes, swish its tail, lift its trunk, and even spray water. The elephant can be climbed upon, and a seat can be affixed on the back. It can be taken through the streets and can be part of rituals and processions, the PETA India said.
The mechanical elephant was gifted on the occasion of silver jubilee of the ‘pattabhisheka’ of the seer of the Jain Mutt, Moodbidri, in recognition of the temple’s decision never to own or hire live elephants.
Speaking on the occasion, Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Pattacharya Panditacharyavarya, seer of Moodbidri Jain Mutt, said, “We are reminded of Parasparopagraho Jivanam, the beautiful Jain principle that all life is interconnected and nourished through mutual care.”
“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.”
The unveiling was followed by a Mangala Vadhyam performance.
The PETA India said that now at least 20 mechanical elephants are used in temples across south India. It has donated 12 elephants. In 2025, at least 20 captive elephants in Kerala killed six people on different occasions, injuring several others, or damaged several properties.
It may be noted that in 2024, at least 14 incidents of captive elephants harming or killing their mahouts or others were reported from across the country. And recently, elephants ran amok during the Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad, it added.
Published – August 29, 2025 07:49 pm IST
