Thrissur/IBNS: A temple in Kerala's Thrissur has got the country's first robotic elephant which will perform daily prayers, media reports said.

The mechanical elephant was dedicated to the deity at the Irinjadappilly Sree Krishna Temple in the district on Sunday.

The initiative, which is a joint venture of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals or PETA India and actor Parvathy Thiruvothu, will end the 'cruelty' meted out to the captivated elephants in offering prayers.

PETA said as quoted by The Print, "An inaugural ceremony held today was followed by a performance by the percussion ensemble led by Peruvanam Satheesan Marar.

"Subjecting live elephants to the extreme loudness of the timpani is cruel, as it is damaging and distressing for live elephants."

Head priest Rajkumar Namboothiri said he was "extremely happy and grateful" that prayers would now be performed in a cruelty free manner, The Print reported.

PETA has appealed to all temple administrations and event organisers to also switch to life-life mechanical elephants.