Archive · 14 Sep 2026
Madhuri Returns to Kolhapur After 13 Months at Vantara
Madhuri is an elephant also known as Mahadevi.
She lived at the Nandani Jain Math in Kolhapur for many years.
In July 2025, she was moved to Vantara, an animal-care centre in Gujarat.
The move followed concerns about her health and a legal decision.
After more than a year, a committee allowed her to return to Kolhapur.
Many people welcomed her with flowers, music, lights and tears.
She will rest and get used to her caretakers before meeting visitors.
Vantara taught the math about her food, exercise and medicines.
PETA India believes she would be safer at Vantara, while local supporters say she belongs at the math and will be cared for there.
Madhuri, also known as Mahadevi, returned from Vantara in Jamnagar to the Nandani Jain Math in Kolhapur after more than a year away.
Hundreds or thousands of residents welcomed her with flowers, music, lighting, sweets, tears and chanting, while organisers cancelled a larger procession to limit her fatigue.
Madhuri was moved to Vantara in July 2025 under a High-Powered Committee decision upheld by the Bombay High Court and Supreme Court; reports differ on whether the transfer occurred on July 28 or July 30.
The committee cleared her return on September 9, 2026, after inspecting the proposed facility in Kolhapur.
PETA India opposed the return, while the math and local supporters said they would follow veterinary and animal-care requirements with continued assistance from Vantara.
- Who
- Madhuri, also known as Mahadevi; the Nandani Jain Math; Vantara; local supporters; and PETA India.
- What
- Madhuri returned to the Nandani Jain Math after more than a year at Vantara.
- When
- She was moved in July 2025, although reports give July 28 and July 30 as the transfer dates; her return was cleared on September 9, 2026, and took place afterward.
- Where
- She travelled from Vantara in Jamnagar, Gujarat, to the Nandani Jain Math in Kolhapur, Maharashtra.
- Why
- The High-Powered Committee cleared her return after inspecting the proposed facility, following a prolonged dispute over where she should live.
Supporters of Madhuri’s Return
Critics of Madhuri’s Return
Where Madhuri should live
Supporters of Madhuri’s Return
Local supporters and the Jain Math say Madhuri has been connected to the math for decades and should return to Kolhapur, where the community regards her as part of its religious and local life.
Critics of Madhuri’s Return
PETA India says Madhuri should have remained at Vantara, where it says she had greater safety, care, peace and access to hospital facilities.
Conditions at the math
Supporters of Madhuri’s Return
Supporters reject earlier abuse allegations as fabricated and say the math will follow court directions, including veterinary monitoring and animal-care requirements.
Critics of Madhuri’s Return
PETA India alleges that Madhuri previously lived alone and in chains at the math and questions whether the facility can meet her health and welfare needs.
Readiness of the new facility
Supporters of Madhuri’s Return
The math has provided a renovated shed, plans a larger four-acre enclosure and says it will arrange regular medical checks; Vantara says it helped prepare the facility and will continue offering support.
Critics of Madhuri’s Return
PETA India argues that returning Madhuri to the math exposes her to poorer conditions, while Vantara said further improvements were limited by town-planning constraints, including a road crossing trust land.
- Elephant
- Madhuri, also known as Mahadevi
- Age
- 36 years old
- Former facility
- Vantara animal rescue centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat
- Transfer date
- July 2025; reports specify either July 28 or July 30
- Return clearance
- September 9, 2026, by the High-Powered Committee
- Current accommodation
- A renovated shed with a water tank at the Nandani Jain Math
- Planned facility
- A permanent four-acre enclosure with a garden and swimming pool is planned within a year
- Care arrangements
- The math said it would arrange fortnightly veterinary check-ups, while Vantara offered continued guidance
