Actor Sonu Sood, often hailed as a real-life hero for his humanitarian efforts, has once again extended his support to a meaningful social cause. This time, the actor has joined hands with his son Ayaan Sood to gift a life-size mechanical elephant named Airavatham to Sri Sakthi Vinayagar Temple in Chennai.
The initiative has been undertaken in collaboration with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India and People for Cattle in India (PFCI). The gesture honours the temple’s progressive decision to never hire or keep real elephants for ceremonies, setting an example for compassionate religious practices.
The unveiling of Airavatham marks a significant step towards ensuring that temple rituals and celebrations can continue without causing distress or harm to animals. Mechanical elephants are increasingly being introduced in temples across India as a humane alternative, allowing real elephants to remain in their natural forest habitats with their families, free from chains, weapons, and deprivation.
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, who is also the winner of PETA India’s Compassionate Youth Award, expressed his pride in being part of the project. He 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, Ayaan Sood, PETA India, and PFCI reflects a growing movement across India towards ethical and animal-friendly practices in places of worship. By blending devotion with empathy and responsibility, the initiative sets a precedent for temples to uphold tradition while prioritising compassion.
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