THRISSUR: It became history when a mechanical elephant was dedicated to the deity in Kallettumkara Irinjadappilly Sree Krishna Temple to perform rituals. However, elephant organizations have objected to the use of such robotic elephants for festivals.

These organizations (aana premi sangam) have warned that if percussion artists participate in festivals with robotic elephants, they will not be able to perform in other festivals where artists are determined by them. The Manakkodi Aanapremi Sangam points out that if mechanical elephants are used, the elephants themselves will disappear from festival celebrations, along with rituals, and the elephant workers will become jobless. However, animal welfare organizations argue that robotic elephants can be used as electrification and computerization take place to facilitate rituals.

The head, eyes, mouth, ears and tail of the mechanical elephant are constantly moving with the use of five motors. The mahout will be able to control the trunk. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India in New Delhi bought the elephant and held the 'Nadayiruthal' ceremony of 'Irinjadappilly Raman', a robotic elephant at the temple. The elephant was dedicated to the temple by Nedumpilly Tharananellur Satheesan Namboothiripad, the tantri of Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram.

Height of Yantra Elephant: Ten and a half feet
Weight: 800 kg.
Raw materials: iron frame, rubber, cloth, sponge
Elephant Riding: For four persons.
Construction cost: Rs.5 lakhs.
Time taken to build: Two months

Can be moved by trolley

Three people can move the elephant on a trolley on a level surface. It can be loaded into a lorry using a recovery vehicle. Wheels are attached to the bottom of the mechanical elephant. The makers of the elephant are P Prashanth, KM Jinesh, MR Robin and Santo Jose of private art creations in Chalakudy. They also made mechanical elephants for a Dubai festival.

They said that they have not received any contract to make robotic elephants for temples.