This is the moment a life-size mechanical elephant is gifted to a cruelty-free temple for traditional rituals by animal activists as bystanders watch in awe.

Actress Priyamani and PETA India donated the mechanical wonder, named Mahadevan, to the Thrikkayil Mahadeva Temple in Kochi, in the state of Kerala, southwest India.

The donation was made in light of the temple's decision never to own or hire live elephants for traditional religious practices seen across the rest of the country.

Video footage from the inauguration shows an excited crowd snapping photos and videos of the robotic tuskers it was unveiled on March 17.

The life-size robot flapped its ears to 'greet' the people who were later treated to a live band performance, reports said.

Mahadevan will be used to conduct ceremonies at the temple in a safe and cruelty-free manner, such as the'Nadayiruthal' ritual.

'Nadayiruthal' involves the offering of an elephant to the gods. The elephants are adorned with elaborate decorations and paraded during temple festivals and religious processions.

This practice is considered a form of devotion and is believed to bring blessings and prosperity to the donors and their families.

However, the ethical treatment and welfare of these elephants have been a subject of concern and debate in recent years.

According to PETA, many elephants are kept in captivity for this ritual after they have been illegally captured and transported.

In the process, PETA said tuskers often suffer severe punishments and beatings to be trained into compliance before being handed over to the temples.

Many have extremely painful foot ailments and leg wounds from being chained to concrete for hours on end, and most do not receive adequate food, water, or medical care, still according to PETA.

The animal organisation said in a statement: 'PETA India encourages all venues and events using elephants to switch to lifelike mechanical elephants or other means in place of real elephants.

'PETA India advocates for elephants already in captivity to be retired to sanctuaries where they can live unchained and in the company of other elephants, healing psychologically and physically from the trauma of years of isolation, captivity, and abuse.'

The stress and trauma these creatures suffer often lead them to harm humans in a bid to break free, PETA said.

At least 526 people have been killed byelephants kept in captivity in Kerala over the past 15 years, according to numbers from the Heritage Animal Task Force.

Indian actress Priyamani, who also took part in the donation, said: 'Advances in technology mean we can maintain our rich cultural practices and heritage while ensuring animals are not harmed.

'It gives me great pleasure to donate this mechanical elephant with PETA India to allow devotees to take part inauspicious ceremonies in a safe and animal-friendly manner.'

Thekkiniyedath VallabhanNamboothiri, owner of the Thrikkayil Mahadeva Temple added: 'We are very pleased to use mechanical elephant Mahadevan in reverence to all of the animals created by God who want to live free and safe with their families just as humans do.'