Use of elephants in temples is a part of our culture : Supreme Court

Supreme Court stays Kerala High Court’s ban on the use of elephants by temples

New Delhi – Kerala High Court imposed a ban on procession taken out on elephants in temples and in religious rituals. The Supreme Court has, however, stayed that order and stated that use of elephants in temples is a part of our culture. Now, the Supreme Court has served a notice in this context.

On 17.03.2025, Justice B V Nagarathna and Justice Satish Chandra Sharma passed the stay order on a petition filed by a voluntary organisation named ‘Gaja Seva Samiti’. Kerala High Court had issued the order in January 2025 banning use of elephants in temples.

Elephants in temples are a part of our culture! – Supreme Court

Supreme Court stays Kerala High Court’s ban on using elephants in temples.

Foreign-funded so-called animal rights activists are trying to disrupt Hindu traditions! – Petitioner Gaja Seva Samiti

To prevent such… pic.twitter.com/lSHxslnPlq

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) March 19, 2025

The so-called animal rights activists try to stop Hindu traditions with the foreign money – Allegation by petitioner Gaja Seva Samiti

The so-called activists, demanding a ban on use of elephants, want to stop more than 2000-year-old Hindu traditions. These activists are trying to stop Hindus traditions with the support of foreign funding. Elephant is considered an auspicious animal in Kerala and is worshipped as a symbol of strength.

Ban imposed by Kerala High Court

Kerala High Court imposed many restrictions on the use of elephants in temples while hearing the petition filed by Animal Rights activists in November 2024 which was stayed by the Supreme Court. Kerala High Court passed a new order in January 2025 wherein it was stated that

Temples and shrines, which are not registered before 31.05.2022, will not be able to take out processions on elephants.

There is no such religious tradition which makes it obligatory to use elephants. Elephants used in temples lead life like prisoners in ‘Nazi camps (where Jews used to be oppressed and killed)’.

Elephants will not be made to walk more than 30 kms in any procession. They will not travel more than 125 km in a day. They will not be kept in a vehicle for more than 6 hours.

Elephant processions will be banned from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. on public roads. There will be restrictions on their use even at night. Minimum 3 meters distance will have to be maintained between two elephants in the processions.

Temples ordered robotic elephants

After Kerala High Court’s orders, the big temples in Kerala opined that the use of elephants would be almost impossible with such orders. Many temples ordered for robotic elephants after Kerala High Court’s orders. The Supreme Court stayed the High Court’s order in December 2024. Even then, in January 2025, the High Court passed a new order which has been stayed by the Supreme Court now.