Bring Back Madhuri (Mahadevi)

Madhuri — also called Mahadevi — is a female temple elephant long associated with Nandani village near Kolhapur. Her relocation to a specialised elephant-care facility in Jamnagar (Vantara) sparked a large public campaign, legal battles, and ongoing discussions about the best place for her long-term welfare.

About Madhuri / Mahadevi

Madhuri (approx. 36 years old) was brought to the Jain math in Nandani as a young elephant and lived there for decades. Over the years concerns were raised about her health and living conditions, which led to intervention by animal welfare groups and the courts.

Short timeline

• 1992 — Madhuri (Mahadevi) came into care of the Nandani Jain math.
• 2017 — An unfortunate incident led to renewed scrutiny of her care.
• 2023–2024 — PETA India and a high-power committee raised welfare concerns.
• 2024–2025 — Bombay High Court / High Power Committee recommended transfer to Vantara in Jamnagar for rehabilitation.
• 2025 — Courts (including higher benches) and government authorities have been involved; Madhuri was moved to Vantara and ongoing talks about a rehabilitation/return plan continue.

What is “Bring Back Madhuri”?

The campaign became popular after the transfer decision. Thousands of people have signed petitions and local supporters organised protests to express their emotional, cultural and religious attachment to Madhuri. Political leaders and community representatives have also engaged with the issue while the courts examined the welfare and legal questions.

Vantara / Rehabilitation Facility

Vantara's Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust (an elephant care facility in Jamnagar) is a specialised centre described by its operators as providing veterinary care, hydrotherapy and naturalistic enclosures for rescued or rehabilitated elephants. The High Power Committee and courts considered Vantara to be a suitable facility for Madhuri’s care when immediate welfare needs were the priority.

Legal & Welfare Findings

Courts have repeatedly emphasised that animal welfare outweighs cultural or religious usage when a conflict arises. Medical inspections cited wounds, foot rot and other health problems needing specialised treatment. As a result, judicial orders supported transfer for rehabilitation to a facility able to provide those treatments.

Recent developments

Media reports indicate that Madhuri was moved to the Vantara facility in Jamnagar following court orders, and later hearings have asked Vantara and the Nandani math to submit a joint rehabilitation/return plan. State and community representatives have been involved in exploring options that balance welfare with community concerns.

How you can help

• Support evidence-based welfare: Encourage decision making that follows veterinary assessments and rehabilitation plans.
• Donate to verified welfare groups: Contribute to organisations working on elephant health and habitat restoration.
• Share trusted updates: Avoid spreading unverified claims; share reports from reputable media and official sources.