In India’s southern state of Kerala, some Hindu temple festivals are increasingly using robotic elephants instead of live animals, according to multiple reports. The shift is presented as a response to concerns over elephant welfare and incidents involving elephants that have raised public and advocacy scrutiny. Media accounts describe how the robotic figures still draw large crowds at temple events, attracting attention as they move and perform during festival activities. While the robotic elephants are used in place of live elephants in certain temples, the reports also indicate that the change has sparked controversy and debate. The disagreement appears to center on how the replacements should be viewed—whether as a way to reduce harm to elephants and improve safety, or as a change that some people question in cultural or traditional terms. The coverage focuses on Kerala as the main location for the new approach, but frames the issue as part of a wider conversation in India about animal treatment in religious events. The reports do not provide details on the number of temples involved or which specific organizations oversee the transition.