Jamnagar: Elephant Mahadevi, also known as Madhuri, who had spent over three decades in solitary confinement, is finally enjoying a shackles-free environment at Vantara in Jamnagar. The 36-year-old elephant was housed at the Swastishree Jinsen Bhattarak Pattacharya Mahaswami Sansthan (Jain Math) in Nandani village, Kolhapur, for the last 33 years. She was placed under the care of the Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust within the Vantara facility, following an order of the Bombay High Court.

The Life of Mahadevi Before Vantara

At the age of three, Mahadevi was separated from her mother and reportedly brought from Karnataka to Kolhapur. She spent her entire life in a concrete enclosure—isolated from other elephants and far removed from her natural forest habitat. Apart from participating in religious processions, Mahadevi was used for begging. She endured years of physical and mental trauma. Tight ropes around her body and shackles on her legs marked her daily existence.

Despite suffering multiple injuries over the years—including chronic foot issues and arthritis—she received little to no medical attention and was used for monetary gain whenever needed.

The psychological toll of her captivity became evident in 2017, when Mahadevi fatally attacked the temple’s chief priest. Experts say such incidents are not uncommon among elephants held in unnatural and abusive conditions. Yet, even after this, she continued to be exploited, made to lift children with her trunk for money.

It has also come to light that from 2012 to 2023, the Jain Math allegedly transported Mahadevi across state borders 13 times without legal permissions, using her in various processions—including one in Telangana during Muharram.

In July 2023, she was seized by the Telangana Forest Department for violating Section 48A of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. She was then handed over to the Maharashtra Forest Department and declared government property, no longer under temple ownership.

With her health deteriorating due to diseases like grade 4 arthritis, foot rot, and worn-out footpads from prolonged chaining on concrete, Maharashtra’s Chief Wildlife Warden recommended rehabilitation in June 2024.

 

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Vantara Did Not Initiate Mahadevi’s Relocation

Following Mahadevi’s relocation to Vantara, there have been protests against Reliance. Reportedly, over 1,000 people from Nandani village in Shirol taluka switched their SIM cards from Jio to other service providers after the elephant was moved to the Jamnagar facility. Videos circulated showing Bhattarakha Swamiji and others tearfully bidding farewell to the elaborately adorned elephant.

However, Vantara clarified two days ago that it did not initiate the rehabilitation process and was only acting under court orders. In a statement, Vantara said, “Vantara holds the deepest respect for the emotions and spiritual sentiments surrounding the revered elephant Mahadevi Madhuri… We recognise that her presence there was more than symbolic—it was sacred to many. We want to clearly and respectfully state that Vantara acted solely in compliance with the binding orders of the Bombay High Court, which were subsequently upheld by the Supreme Court of India. We were not the initiators of this move, but the facility directed to carry out the court’s decision and provide her with care.”

Notably, the NGO People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) had approached the Bombay High Court, seeking Mahadevi’s relocation from the Jain Math. On July 16, 2025, the Bombay High Court directed that Mahadevi be relocated to the Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust at Vantara’s facility in Jamnagar. The Maharashtra Forest Department and the Supreme Court-appointed High-Powered Committee also supported the transfer, given her declining health and mental distress.

This decision was later upheld by the Supreme Court of India on July 28, 2025, which dismissed the Jain Math’s appeal to retain the elephant in Kolhapur.

Despite the apex court’s ruling, Mahadevi’s relocation was met with violence. Protesters hurled stones at PETA India and sanctuary staff during the rescue operation. One PETA staff member sustained a serious rib injury.

 

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Gujarat vs Maharashtra Controversy

The relocation took place on July 30 and has stirred controversy in Kolhapur. Former MP and farmers’ leader Raju Shetti, along with others, opposed the move. Shetti, a member of the Jain community, argued that local sentiments had been ignored. When Vantara’s team arrived in Shirol to transport Mahadevi, locals responded with visible grief and blocked the vehicle. Videos showed Bhattarakha Swamiji and others tearfully bidding farewell to the elaborately adorned elephant.

Reacting to the outcry, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that a meeting with local MPs and MLAs has been scheduled to explore possible legal avenues. “We understand and respect the emotions of the people. There is widespread discontent over this issue, especially among devotees. We will look into the legal possibilities of bringing Madhuri back,” he said.

However, Fadnavis clarified that the state government had no role in the elephant’s relocation. “The decision to shift Madhuri was made by the Bombay High Court and later upheld by the Supreme Court. The state’s involvement was limited to submitting a report via the Forest Department,” he stated.

It is noteworthy that some local media have framed this relocation as a Gujarat vs Maharashtra issue, since Mahadevi was moved from one state to a facility located in the other.

A New and Shackles-Free Life for Mahadevi

Amidst this controversy, Vantara released a video on social media showing Mahadevi undergoing medical treatment and psychological care for the first time in her life. The sanctuary also shared an update on her recovery plan, highlighting chronic foot conditions, including laminitis, toenail abscesses, and fractures.

“The team has now devised a detailed treatment protocol to address the root causes, ease her discomfort, improve mobility, and support her recovery. While we await her lab reports, her nutritionist is already planning a tailored diet. For now, Madhuri needs plenty of rest, comfort, and care,” Vantara posted on Instagram.

In other videos, Madhuri can be seen enjoying hydrotherapy in a large pond, forest walks, baths, healthy diet plans, and Ayurvedic care, among other enrichment activities.

For Mahadevi, freedom has finally arrived, three decades too late, but just in time to offer her dignity, compassion, and the hope of healing.

Furthermore, this relocation should be seen in the same light as when homeless children are sent to juvenile facilities or helpless women are placed in shelter homes. Similarly, animals are sent to rehabilitation centres, and for elephants, Vantara is the world’s largest elephant rescue and rehabilitation centre, spanning across 3,500 acres. The facility already houses over 250 rescued elephants, all cared for at the world’s largest elephant hospital.

Therefore, the claims that Vantara “took” the elephant are false. The court ordered her transfer to Vantara, giving precedence to “the survival of the elephant and its right to quality life, over and above the rights of men to use the elephant for religious rites.”  DeshGujarat