Kerala temple gets new life-sized mechanical elephant for rituals.

• India gifted Kombara Kannan, a three-metre-tall mechanical elephant, to the Kombara Sreekrishna Swami Temple in Kerala.

• The life-size elephant, weighing 800 kilograms, was unveiled by Satish Vimalan, secretary of Unnayi Warier Smaraka Kalanilayam.

• The mechanical elephant will be used for ceremonies at the temple.

• The temple hosted a Panchari melam performance after the Nadayiruthal ceremony.

• The mechanical elephant was chosen to allow real elephants to flourish in their native habitats.