Latest news with #SriAshtalingaAthiseshaSelvaVinayagar
News18
28-06-2025
- General
- News18
Trisha Krishnan Donates Robotic Elephant ‘Gaja' To Tamil Nadu Temples
The aim behind Trisha Krishnan's donation is to offer an alternative to the use of real elephants in temple rituals and festivals. Trisha Krishnan has made a heartwarming and thoughtful gesture by donating a lifelike mechanical elephant named Gaja to two temples in Tamil Nadu – the Sri Ashtalinga Athisesha Selva Vinayagar Temple and the Sri Ashtabhuja Athisesha Varahi Amman Temple. This donation aims to offer an alternative to the use of real elephants in temple rituals and festivals. Gaja, the mechanical elephant, will now be a part of traditional temple ceremonies by taking part in religious activities in place of live elephants. This step supports a growing movement across many temples in South India where more and more places of worship are choosing mechanical elephants as a way to respect both culture and animal welfare. Gaja arrived—and was met with warmth, awe, and devotion by all at Sri Ashtalinga Athisesha Selva Vinayagar and Sri Ashtabhuja Athisesha Varahi Amman temples in Tamil Nadu. 💫 @trishtrashers #RoboticGaja #MechanicalElephant #PFCI — People For Cattle In India (PFCI) (@PFCII) June 27, 2025 Trisha's decision to donate Gaja was made in collaboration with People For Cattle In India (PFCI), an animal protection group working towards cruelty-free practices. In a statement shared by the organisation, Trisha opened up about the emotions behind her gesture. She said, 'I'm thrilled to be part of this beautiful moment. Devotion shines brightest when it's rooted in compassion. Welcoming a mechanical elephant into our temple traditions is a celebration of kindness, innovation, and culture." 'We are honouring our heritage in a way that brings no harm, only harmony. This gesture stands as a proud symbol of progress, where faith and empathy walk hand in hand. I hope it inspires many more to embrace a future where love leads our rituals, and no being suffers in the name of tradition," she added. The PFCI shared photos and videos of Gaja on X (formerly Twitter) and thanked Trisha for being a part of this meaningful initiative. 'Thank you, @trishtrashers for working with us. Gaja signals a new beginning—where real elephants are free, and traditions continue at Sri Ashtalinga Athisesha Selva Vinayagar and Sri Ashtabhuja Athisesha Varahi Amman temples in Tamil Nadu," the caption read. Thank you, @trishtrashers for working with us. Gaja signals a new beginning—where real elephants are free, and traditions continue at Sri Ashtalinga Athisesha Selva Vinayagar and Sri Ashtabhuja Athisesha Varahi Amman temples in Tamil Nadu.🌿🐘 #RoboticGaja #MechanicalElephant — People For Cattle In India (PFCI) (@PFCII) June 27, 2025 They also posted an image of a vegan meal arranged for temple devotees. Compassion never tasted so good! 🥗 Sri Ashtalinga Athisesha Selva Vinayagar and Sri Ashtabhuja Athisesha Varahi Amman temples in Tamil Nadu served hearty vegan meals to celebrate. @trishtrashers #RoboticGaja #MechanicalElephant — People For Cattle In India (PFCI) (@PFCII) June 27, 2025 On the work front, Trisha has a couple of big projects lined up. She will soon be seen in Vishwambhara, a film directed by Malladi Vassishta where she stars opposite megastar Chiranjeevi. On her birthday in May, the makers shared the first look of her character Avani. The film also features Aashika Ranganath, Ramya Pasupuleti, Esha Chawla and Ashrita Vemuganti Nanduri. Vishwambhara is expected to hit theatres in September. Trisha is also working on Karuppu, a film directed by RJ Balaji, where she will star alongside Suriya. The rest of the cast includes Swasika, Indrans, Sshivada, Anagha Maya Ravi, Yogi Babu, Natty and Supreeth Reddy. Karuppu is reportedly aiming for a Diwali release. First Published:
Hindustan Times
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Trisha Krishnan donates lifelike mechanical elephant called Gaja, vegan meals to temples in Tamil Nadu
Actor and animal lover Trisha Krishnan donated a lifelike mechanical elephant to Sri Ashtalinga Athisesha Selva Vinayagar and Sri Ashtabhuja Athisesha Varahi Amman temples in Tamil Nadu. On Friday, the temples debuted the elephant named Gaja, and Trisha sponsored a hearty vegan meal for all devotees in attendance. (Also Read: Trisha fuels relationship rumours again with her birthday wish for Vijay; internet confused by her mother's reaction) Trisha Krishnan's love for animals is well-known and she's 'absolutely thrilled' to have donated the mechanical elephant. In a statement released by People For Cattle In India (PFCI), Trisha spoke of the reason why she donated Gaja to the temples. She said, 'I'm absolutely thrilled to be part of this beautiful moment. Devotion shines brightest when it's rooted in compassion. Welcoming a mechanical elephant into our temple traditions is a celebration of kindness, innovation, and culture.' She also added, 'We are honouring our heritage in a way that brings no harm, only harmony. This gesture stands as a proud symbol of progress, here faith and empathy walk hand in hand. I hope it inspires many more to embrace a future where love leads our rituals, and no being suffers in the name of tradition.' Vegan meal sponsored by Trisha The PFCI posted pictures and videos of Gaja on X (formerly Twitter), thanking Trisha for making the donation. They wrote, 'Thank you, @trishtrashers for working with us. Gaja signals a new beginning—where real elephants are free, and traditions continue at Sri Ashtalinga Athisesha Selva Vinayagar and Sri Ashtabhuja Athisesha Varahi Amman temples in Tamil Nadu.' They also shared a picture of the meal Trisha had arranged for devotees, along with a sign board that reads, 'Just like our lifelike mechanical elephant promotes kindness to real elephants, vegan food shows respect to animals by leaving them off our plates. There are no meat, dairy, eggs, or other animal products, just delicious plant-based dishes that are better for animals, the planet and our health.' Trisha starred in Vidaamuyarchi, Good Bad Ugly and Thug Life this year. She will soon star in Vishwambhara and Karuppu.
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Robotic jumbo gifted by Trisha debuts at Aruppukottai temples
Chennai: The kumbhabhishekam festival is on at the Sri Ashtalinga Athisesha Selva Vinayagar temple and the Sri Ashtabhuja Athisesha Varahi Amman Temples in Aruppukottai, after a gap of 24 years. The ceremony involves the new temple elephant Gaja carrying a pot of water from a nearby river to present to the idol at the temple. A life-sized Gaja's head is shaking, his ears flapping and his eyes are moving, but a closer look would reveal that he is not walking, but being wheeled. Gaja is a mechanical elephant made of fibre and silicon and powered by electricity, a generous gift to the temples from actor Trisha Krishnan and other donors. Many temples keep wild elephants captive but in any restrictive and confined atmosphere, they go through immense psychological trauma and stress, says Ananda Kumar, senior scientist, nature conservation foundation. "Ideally, wild elephants should be phased out from all such ceremonies, but any move replacing them is welcome." There have been countless instances, especially in the neighbouring state of Kerala, of elephants running wild amid processions and killing its own mahouts as well as spectators. "The temple authorities emrbaced the idea since even children can be around them safely," says Arun Prasanna, of the Chennai-based NGO People for Cattle in India (PCI), which works for captive elephants and is associated with this initiative. This initiative marks the first instance in the Madurai region - and the entire Virudhunagar district. "Devotion shines brightest when it's rooted in compassion," said Trisha, on the occasion.
