Richa Chadha marked Onam in Kerala this year with a celebration that was equal parts festive, personal and thoughtful.
The actor visited the Gurupuram Sree Maha Vishnu Temple in Kerala with her daughter Zuneyra, where she gifted the temple a life sized mechanical elephant named Gurupuram Arjunan. The gesture was made in association with PETA India and was meant to offer a kinder alternative to using live elephants in temple ceremonies.
A Special Onam With Daughter Zuneyra
For the occasion, Richa wore a traditional white and gold sari, while Zuneyra was dressed in a specially made Onam outfit.
The mother daughter duo took part in the festivities, attended the unveiling of Gurupuram Arjunan and joined local devotees for the celebrations. The ceremony also included Chenda Melam and Thiruvathira performances, adding to the festive atmosphere.
Richa said celebrating Onam with her daughter made the experience especially meaningful, as she wanted Zuneyra to enjoy the colours, traditions and cultural richness of the festival.
Meet Gurupuram Arjunan
The mechanical elephant is more than a decorative installation.
Gurupuram Arjunan has been designed to recreate some of the familiar movements of a real elephant, including moving its head, ears, eyes, mouth and tail. Its trunk can also be controlled separately.
According to local reports, the model has an iron framework, uses multiple motors and was built as a safer alternative for temple rituals. It is also reported to be the first mechanical elephant donated to a temple in Kasaragod district.
Tradition Meets Compassion
The heart of Richa’s gesture lies in the message behind it.
She spoke about how festivals and traditions remain an important part of cultural identity, but also said that those traditions can evolve in ways that are kinder to animals.
Her point was simple. Preserving culture and showing compassion do not have to be opposing ideas.
Richa also highlighted how social and intelligent elephants are, adding that they deserve to live freely in their natural environment rather than being used purely for ceremonial purposes.
A Celebration That Went Beyond the Ceremony
Richa’s Onam visit was not limited to the presentation of the mechanical elephant.
She also sat down for an Onam Sadhya with members of the community, making the day feel less like a celebrity appearance and more like a genuine cultural experience.
That is what makes this celebration stand out.
The fashion was traditional, the setting was festive, but the larger conversation was about how customs can continue while still making room for more thoughtful choices.
And there is something quietly powerful about that.
Glamcheck Take
Tradition, technology and a little more kindness. Richa’s Onam celebration had heart.
