Mumbai, Feb. 25 -- Actor Suniel Shetty, in collaboration with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India and Compassion Unlimited Plus Action (CUPA), gifted a life-size mechanical elephant 'Umamaheshwara' to the Sri Umamaheshwara Veerabhadreshwara Temple in Tavarekere, Karnataka.

The gift is a tribute to the temple's progressive decision to never keep or rent live elephants at the temple, and exemplifies compassionate traditions. The mechanical elephant allows devotees to participate in cultural rituals, without the need to keep or torment real animals.

Umamaheshwara received a grand and enthusiastic welcome at the Sri Umamaheshwara Veerabhadreshwara Temple on Monday, accompanied by rhythmic sounds of devotion and Mangala ...