Archive · 26 Aug 2026
Richa Chadha Gifts Mechanical Elephant During Compassionate Onam Celebration
Richa Chadha went to a temple in Kerala to celebrate Onam with her daughter, Zuneyra.
They wore traditional clothes for the festival.
Richa gave the temple a life-size mechanical elephant called Gurupuram Arjunan.
She also helped unveil it during the ceremony.
The event included music, dancing and a special Onam meal.
Richa said elephants are smart and social animals.
She believes they should live freely with other elephants.
She also said people can respect traditions while choosing kinder ways to celebrate.
Richa Chadha attended an Onam ceremony at Kerala’s Gurupuram Sree Maha Vishnu Temple with her daughter Zuneyra.
She presented and helped unveil Gurupuram Arjunan, a life-size mechanical elephant, with the involvement of PETA.
Richa wore a white-and-gold sari, while Zuneyra wore a special traditional Onam outfit.
The celebration featured Chenda Melam, Thiruvathira dance and an Onam Sadhya with local devotees.
Richa said technology could help preserve traditions while encouraging compassion toward elephants and other animals.
- Who
- Actor Richa Chadha, her daughter Zuneyra and members of the Gurupuram temple community; PETA was involved in the mechanical-elephant presentation.
- What
- Richa presented and helped unveil Gurupuram Arjunan, a life-size mechanical elephant, during an Onam celebration.
- When
- During this year’s Onam celebration; the articles do not provide a specific date.
- Where
- Gurupuram Sree Maha Vishnu Temple in Kerala.
- Why
- Richa wanted to celebrate Onam and promote a technology-assisted way of preserving traditions without using a live elephant.
- Festival
- Onam
- Venue
- Gurupuram Sree Maha Vishnu Temple, Kerala
- Gift
- Gurupuram Arjunan, a life-size mechanical elephant
- Organization involved
- PETA
- Cultural program
- Chenda Melam and Thiruvathira dance
- Community activity
- An Onam Sadhya with local devotees
- Richa Chadha’s message
- Tradition and compassion can coexist through kinder, technology-supported celebrations.
