Iskcon relocates jumbos, Peta may donate mechanical elephant to temple
Times of India | 28 January 2025
12 Kolkata: Two female elephants that were kept at the Iskcon temple in Mayapur, Nadia, were relocated to the Reliance-run Vantara animal rescue and rehabilitation centre in Jamnagar. One of the elephants, Bishnupriya, had crushed a mahout to death on April 6, 2024. Another mahout who was astride the other elephant, Lakshmipriya, was injured while trying to save his colleague.
"After Peta India urged us to release the elephants to a reputable sanctuary, we took the approval of the Supreme Court to send them to Vantara. They will now live in the company of other elephants," said Iskcon vice-president Radharamn Das.
The elephants were used by the organisation to carry the idol of Radha-Madhav around the temple complex every Saturday. Palanquins borne by devotees are now being used to continue the tradition.
Immediately after the mahout was killed, Peta India wrote to Iskcon Mayapur co-director Jayapataka Swami, requesting Iskcon to use mechanical elephants in rituals and processions instead and to permit Bishnupriya and Lakshmipriya to be rehabilitated. Bishnupriya was brought to Iskcon in Mayapur in 2010 while Lakshmipriya was brought in 2007.
"If Peta donates a mechanical elephant, we will consider using it," Das said. A Peta India official reiterated that it is ready to donate a mechanical elephant to Iskcon to help ensure real elephants remain in their jungle homes.
Welcoming the rehabilitation of both elephants, Peta India director of advocacy projects Khushboo Gupta said, "We commend Iskcon for taking compassionate steps to rehabilitate elephants Bishnupriya and Lakshmipriya to Vantara and are hopeful other temples and institutions keeping captive elephants will also be inspired to send them for rehabilitation. Today, mechanical elephants can perform all the necessary functions, allowing real elephants to be rehabilitated or to remain in their jungle homes."
At least 12 mechanical elephants are used in temples across south India, of which Peta India was involved with donating seven in recognition of the temples' decisions to never own or hire live elephants.