Madhuri elephant, also known as Mahadevi, has finally returned to the Nandani Jain Math in Kolhapur after spending more than 13 months at the Vantara animal rescue and rehabilitation centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat. Her return sparked an emotional celebration across Nandani and nearby villages, with hundreds of people gathering along the route to welcome the elephant they had been waiting to see back home.
Residents celebrated Madhuri’s arrival with flowers, music and traditional festivities. For many people in Kolhapur, Sangli and villages close to the Karnataka border, her return was not simply the arrival of an elephant but an emotional homecoming after a long legal and public campaign.
Madhuri Elephant Returns After More Than a Year at Vantara
Madhuri was shifted to Vantara on July 28, 2025, following directions issued by a High-Powered Committee (HPC). At that time, both the Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court had upheld the committee’s decision concerning her relocation.
The move came after months of protests and a lengthy legal dispute over Madhuri’s living conditions and the question of where she should be kept. The case attracted considerable public attention, with supporters of her return maintaining that the elephant had a deep connection with the Jain Math and the people of the area.
After more than a year, the issue took another turn when the High-Powered Committee inspected the facility where Madhuri was expected to stay. Following the inspection, the committee cleared her return to Kolhapur on September 9, 2026.
The decision brought an end, at least for now, to a long-running dispute that had kept Madhuri away from the place she had called home for decades.
Villagers Celebrate Madhuri’s Homecoming
Former MP and farmer leader Raju Shetti said there had initially been plans for a much larger celebration along Madhuri’s route from Gujarat to Kolhapur. Organisers had considered holding programmes at locations around the Sangli and Karad borders and taking out a procession when the elephant finally arrived.
However, those plans were later cancelled because of concerns about Madhuri’s comfort after the lengthy road journey.
Shetti said people had been waiting for more than a year for her return and were naturally eager to celebrate. But organisers ultimately decided that Madhuri’s wellbeing had to come first.
Even without the planned procession, the atmosphere in Nandani and surrounding areas remained festive.
Suraj Mangave, a mobile accessories shop owner from Nandani, said residents immediately began celebrating after receiving confirmation that Madhuri would return. People from Kolhapur, neighbouring parts of Sangli and areas near the Karnataka border reportedly joined in the celebrations.
Many residents reportedly left their daily work to participate, while sweets were distributed throughout the area. For some villagers, the moment was deeply emotional, with people shedding tears as they saw Madhuri returning.
The village was decorated with lights, creating an atmosphere that residents compared to Diwali celebrations. Banjo music was played, fireworks were set off and flowers were showered over Madhuri as she reached the math premises. A JCB was also used to shower flowers on the returning elephant.
The scenes reflected the strong emotional bond that many local residents say they share with Madhuri.
Jain Math Welcomes Madhuri Back
Jinsen Bhattarak Mahaswami, head of the Nandani Jain Math, described the previous 13 months as an extremely difficult period for those associated with the institution.
He said Madhuri’s absence had been felt every day and expressed happiness and gratitude following her return. He thanked the Maharashtra government, political leaders, members of the public and the media for their efforts in bringing the elephant back to Nandani.
For the Jain Math and its supporters, Madhuri’s return marks the conclusion of a prolonged campaign that involved legal proceedings, public demonstrations and discussions about her future care.
Madhuri Will Need Time to Adjust
Although her return has been celebrated, officials at the Jain Math say Madhuri will not immediately be exposed to large crowds of visitors.
Sagar Sambushete, a trustee and manager of the Jain Math, said a four-member team travelled to Vantara to accompany Madhuri on her journey back to Kolhapur. During their visit, the math’s mahout received detailed information about Madhuri’s diet, exercise schedule and medicines.
Sambushete explained that Madhuri would require a period of adjustment after being away from her familiar surroundings for more than a year.
According to him, she will initially be allowed to rest in a natural environment and become comfortable with her surroundings again. She will also need time to reconnect with her mahout and undergo a period of socialisation before visitors are allowed to meet her.
Vantara has reportedly assured the Jain Math that it will continue providing guidance and assistance whenever necessary.
Sambushete also described the journey back to Kolhapur, saying the team left Vantara at around 5 pm on Thursday. Along the way, people in different areas reportedly came out to welcome Madhuri. Many of them showered flowers on the vehicle as it passed, reflecting the public interest surrounding her return.
New Shelter Planned for Madhuri
For the immediate future, Madhuri will stay in a renovated shed at the Nandani Jain Math premises. The facility includes a water tank and has been prepared to accommodate her after her return.
However, the long-term plan is considerably larger.
Raju Shetti said a satellite elephant rehabilitation centre associated with Vantara at Nandani is still waiting for necessary clearance from the town planning department and other authorities.
He added that the Jain Math intends to construct a larger and more permanent enclosure within a year. The proposed facility is expected to cover around four acres and include a garden and swimming pool.
Vantara has also said that arrangements were made to improve the facility at Nandani before Madhuri’s return. According to the organisation, the best possible arrangements were made within the infrastructure currently available.
Vantara explained that further construction could not be completed at this stage because of town planning restrictions. A road passing through trust-owned land has reportedly reduced the area available for development.
The organisation said it would remain available to assist the math with future improvements once Madhuri has settled into her new surroundings. It also stated that it would help with upgrades if such work is directed by a court or another competent authority.
Vantara further maintained that Madhuri’s health, welfare and dignity remain important regardless of where she lives and expressed its wish for her to have a safe, healthy and peaceful life.
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PETA India Raises Concerns Over Madhuri’s Return
Madhuri’s return has also drawn criticism from animal rights organisation PETA India.
In a social media statement, PETA questioned the decision to send Madhuri back to the math after she had spent more than a year at Vantara. The organisation argued that Madhuri needed continued access to specialised medical and rehabilitation facilities and claimed that returning her to the math could compromise her welfare.
PETA also referred to Madhuri’s long period of isolation at the math and questioned whether returning her to the same environment was in her best interests.
The criticism has been rejected by supporters of Madhuri’s return.
Raju Shetti said PETA had consistently taken a different position on the matter and argued that the organisation should not question the affection local communities have for animals.
Shetti pointed to the rural lifestyle of the people supporting Madhuri’s return, saying that livestock are treated as members of the family in farming communities. He maintained that people in the region have a strong emotional relationship with animals and care for them as part of their households.
Veterinary Care to Continue
Shetti also maintained that Madhuri has been associated with the Jain Math for around 35 years and rejected earlier allegations of mistreatment as fabricated.
He said the math would follow all directions issued by the courts regarding Madhuri’s care. This includes arranging veterinary examinations every two weeks to keep a close watch on her health.
The future of the Madhuri elephant will now depend on how smoothly she settles back into her surroundings and how the planned facilities develop. While her return has brought immense happiness to residents who had campaigned for her homecoming, the debate over her long-term welfare is likely to continue.
For now, however, Madhuri is back in Nandani. After more than a year away, her arrival has given local residents a moment they had been waiting for-the return of an elephant they consider an important part of their community and its history.
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