Actress Richa Chadha marked Onam 2025 with a meaningful visit to Gurupuram Sree Maha Vishnu Temple in Kerala, attending a special ceremony alongside her daughter Zuneyra and gifting the temple a life-size mechanical elephant named Gurupuram Arjunan. The mother-daughter duo dressed in traditional attire — Richa in a white and gold sari, and Zuneyra in a custom Onam dress — as they immersed themselves in the festival's cultural spirit.

The Gift and Its Significance

The mechanical elephant, Gurupuram Arjunan, was presented to the temple as a compassionate alternative to a live elephant in temple rituals. Richa said she was grateful that the temple's trustees embraced the gesture. 'I am truly grateful that this temple, its trustees agreed to this magnificent present. I am sure it will become a local attraction!' she said.

For Richa, the act carried deeper meaning than a ceremonial gift. 'For me, this was not simply about presenting an elephant to a temple; it was about being part of a cultural celebration, experiencing the warmth of the people, eating Onam Sadhya with them here and contributing in a small way to something that can have a larger impact,' she said.

A Festive Celebration with Zuneyra

Richa had a special Onam dress made for Zuneyra to mark the occasion. 'To see her enjoy the festivities, colours and immerse her in the traditions felt truly special,' she said. The ceremony included a traditional Chenda Melam percussion performance and a Thiruvathira dance performance, adding to the festive atmosphere.

Reflecting on the experience, Richa said: 'It was a very special feeling to be here in person and celebrate Onam in such a beautiful and culturally rich setting. To be there with my daughter made it even more special.'

Tradition, Technology, and Compassion

Richa used the occasion to articulate her belief that culture and compassion can coexist. She said she believes embracing tradition also means understanding how to carry those 'traditions forward with greater compassion, with the aid of technology.'

'There is something beautiful about witnessing a tradition being preserved, more kindly and thoughtfully of celebrating it. Onam is a festival that celebrates togetherness, abundance, gratitude and the spirit of community. Celebrations should always include compassion,' she said.

On the subject of live elephants in temple ceremonies, Richa noted that elephants 'are such magnificent and intelligent beings' and 'deserve to live freely in their natural environment with their kind.' She expressed hope that her gesture would inspire others: 'I hope more people see that tradition and compassion do not have to be at odds with each other.'

What's Next

The mechanical elephant is expected to become a permanent fixture and a local attraction at Gurupuram Sree Maha Vishnu Temple. Richa's visit has drawn attention to the growing conversation around animal welfare in Indian temple traditions, and whether technology-aided alternatives can gain wider acceptance across Kerala's temple circuit.