Actress and advocate Hema Malini with Gajendra.
In a ceremony that blended tradition with compassion, ISKCON Kharghar inaugurated Gajendra, a life-sized mechanical elephant, on November 9, 2025. The occasion marked a milestone for Sri Sri Radha Madan Mohanji Mandir as it became the first ISKCON temple and the pioneering religious institution in Maharashtra to embrace this innovative approach to temple rituals.
The grand opening ceremony, held at Hare Krishna Land in Sector 23, Kharghar, featured several eminent dignitaries. Smt. Hema Malini, a renowned actor, Padma Shri awardee, and Member of Parliament from Mathura, joined PETA India in presenting this remarkable gift to the temple. The event was further graced by Smt. Manda Vijay Mhatre, MLA from Belapur, and Sri Prashant Thakur, MLA from Panvel, alongside ISKCON Kharghar Temple President Dr. Sura Das and hundreds of devotees.
The ceremony opened with kirtan and Maṅgalacarana, after which Smt. Hema Malini and Dr. Sura Das jointly unveiled Gajendra. The event culminated with the inaugural arati offered to Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha Madan Mohanji. Devotees then participated in Gajarohan Seva and parikrama, experiencing for the first time how the elephant integrates into traditional worship practices.
Standing three meters tall and weighing 800 kilograms, Gajendra represents a remarkable fusion of engineering and spirituality. Constructed using rubber, fiber, metal, mesh, foam, and steel, it operates on five motors and runs on electricity. The elephant can perform lifelike movements – shaking its head, flapping its ears, moving its eyes, swishing its tail, lifting its trunk, and even spraying water. Most importantly, devotees can climb upon it and it can be taken in processions, fulfilling all traditional ceremonial requirements.Devotees riding Gajendra, the mechanical elephant in the procession.Hema Malini speaking at the event.Dr. Sura Das addressing guests.Dr. Sura Das with Gajendra and honoring PETA’s efforts.
The distinguished guests shared their perspectives on this initiative. Smt. Hema Malini, a member of ISKCON and an animal lover, expressed her honor in partnering with PETA India for this gift. She exclaimed, “This modern approach allows us to continue age-old traditions while ensuring real elephants remain in jungles with their families as God intended.”
MLA Prashant Thakur highlighted Navi Mumbai’s pride in hosting Asia’s second-largest ISKCON temple, setting a global precedent. He noted how the initiative demonstrates Maharashtra’s forward-thinking approach and India’s foundational values of ahimsa (non-violence) and empathy, showing that faith and technology can harmoniously coexist for animal protection and cultural preservation.
Manda Vijay Mhatre, the MLA from Belapur, remarked that the initiative reflects how temples can preserve the sanctity of traditional rituals while fostering compassion toward all living beings, while PETA India’s Vice President of Celebrity and Public Relations, Sachin Bangera, added that the mechanical elephant Gajendra symbolizes the principles of ahimsa and reverence for all forms of life.
Dr. Sura Das, President of ISKCON Kharghar, said that in the Bhagavad-gita, Lord Krishna teaches us to see all living beings with equal vision. “Protecting animals—especially those dear to Lord Krishna and Lord Ganesha—is our dharma. A mechanical elephant allows us to honor our traditions while upholding the principle of ahimsa (non-violence),” he shared.
The increasing use of life-like elephants for religious ceremonies and cultural events follows growing awareness of the cruelty faced by elephants captured from forests, trained, and kept in captivity—often under harsh, unnatural conditions. According to PETA India, in 2024, there were at least fourteen incidents across the country where captive elephants harmed or killed their mahouts. In the first few months of 2025 alone, sixteen elephants used for festivals and processions in Kerala became unruly, resulting in six deaths and several injuries. “By adopting a mechanical elephant, we align with Krishna’s teachings of love, devotion, and care for all creatures,” Sura Das added.
ISKCON Kharghar’s adoption of Gajendra sends a powerful message to religious institutions worldwide. This pioneering step demonstrates that devotion and compassion are not only compatible but complementary, paving the way for other temples to follow suit and embrace practices that honor both ancient traditions and the welfare of all living beings.
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