Reinforcing their commitment to compassion and animal welfare, actor and real life hero Sonu Sood and his son Ayaan Sood have partnered with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India and People for Cattle in India (PFCI) to gift Airavatham, a magnificent life-size mechanical elephant, to Sri Sakthi Vinayagar Temple in Chennai. The initiative honours the temple’s progressive decision to never hire or keep real elephants for ceremonies.
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The unveiling of Airavatham marks a meaningful step toward ensuring that sacred traditions continue without causing harm to animals. By using mechanical elephants for temple rituals and celebrations, real elephants can remain in their natural forest habitats with their families, free from chains, weapons, and the deprivation of everything natural and essential to their well-being.
Speaking about the initiative, Sonu Sood said,
“Temples are places of compassion, faith, and humanity. When devotion and kindness walk together, divinity shines. I am grateful to support the gifting of this mechanical elephant, Airavatham, so that sacred traditions can continue without causing suffering to any living being. May this initiative bring blessings to devotees and freedom to the elephants.”
Ayaan Sood, winner of PETA India’s Compassionate Youth Award, added,
“I feel honoured to be part of gifting Airavatham to Sri Sakthi Vinayagar Temple. By supporting this initiative, we are helping ensure that sacred ceremonies continue in a safe and compassionate way, while real elephants remain free in their natural homes with their families.”
This collaboration between Sonu Sood, and his son Ayaan Sood, PETA India, and PFCI reflects a growing movement across India toward humane and ethical practices in places of worship, blending devotion with responsibility and empathy.