In unusual mix of tech and tradition,life-size robotic elephants now appearing in Hindu temples across India. Crafted from fibreglass,iron,rubber,these animatronic beasts have flapping ears,swishing tails,trunks squirting water. But resemblance to real elephants stops there .
Prasanth Prakashan,mechanical engineer,created these robots in backyard workshop. They're meant to replace live elephants in temple rituals,but movements don't match grace of living ones . Electric motors control head,eyes,still far from real pachyderm's presence.
Animal welfare activists like PETA back this initiative,donating around 40 robotic elephants to temples. Each runs about $6,000. Supporters say it eases burden on live elephants,often kept in tough conditions.
But controversy brews . Many devotees insist real elephants hold sacred spot in rituals,festivals,where they shine as stars. Debate rages as temples balance animal welfare with cultural weight of live elephants…
