An elephant recently arrived at a new care facility and will require a few days to acclimate. The mahout, who is responsible for her care, stated, “We will care for her the same way she has always been cared for. Her massage, hydrotherapy, exercise, and food will all be given on time.” This approach ensures that her routine remains consistent during the transition period.
Among them was software professional Atul Mangave, who arrived with his wife Monika and their 14-month-old daughter Vishruta. “The elephant has been part of Nandani for 36 years. Perfect timing The homecoming has also infused fresh energy into preparations for the Jain math’s centenary celebrations marking 100 years of Acharya Shri Shantisagar Maharaj’s historic Chaturmas at Nandani. About the friend they prayed for, fought for and waited 409 days for.
Because mahadevi had been part of their lives for as long as they could remember, they came. Because ordinary people stood together, “This happened. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Kolhapur | Silver Rate in Kolhapur | Bank Holidays in Kolhapur | Public Holidays in Kolhapur Stay updated with the latest Kolhapur news.
The mahout said the elephant would need a few days to settle in. Her massage, hydrotherapy, exercise and food will all be given on time,” he said. “Those 409 days were very difficult,” he said, watching Mahadevi in the new enclosure. I am happy to return to the work my family has done for generations,” said Ismail, who hails from Davangere in Karnataka and is lovingly called Ismail chacha . Her massage, hydrotherapy, exercise and food will all be given on time,” B Ismail, Mahadevi’s mahout, said His family has cared for elephants across generations, and now his son Jawed is learning the craft as well. He said the elephant would need a few days to fully settle in. “We grew up with her,” Atul said. It is part of growing up in Nandani,” he said. “I convinced my parents to let me skip school,” he said. I am so happy she is back,” he said. “We distributed sweets and burst firecrackers when Mahadevi arrived,” said resident Bahubali Chougule. Trustee Sagar Sambhushete said more than two lakh devotees from Maharashtra and Karnataka are expected for the celebrations. “Mahadevi has an honoured place in the traditions of the math,” he said. “No one should claim credit,” he said.
“We will care for her the same way she has always been cared for. The separation had left a void in his life. “I looked after other animals, did cleaning work and whatever was needed at the math. But there is a special bond between us. The more love you give Mahadevi, the more she gives back. Stories passed down, memories made anew Across Nandani, memories of Mahadevi are woven into childhoods, family stories and village traditions. That is why many parents spent Saturday introducing an entire new generation to the elephant. The child was born during the months Mahadevi was away. “We wanted our daughter to experience the same joy. Seeing Mahadevi here is something special. For many children, the excitement was impossible to contain. Throughout the day, crowds continued to pour into the math Class V student Pratik Nille admitted that school seemed far less important than the village’s biggest reunion. “I came with my friends to see Mahadevi. Throughout the day, crowds continued to pour into the math. They came carrying phones, sweets, flowers and stories. Her return is a celebration for every household. “Her presence is inseparable from many of our religious activities. Her return has multiplied the enthusiasm of devotees,” Sambhushete added. Politics takes a back seat Outside the math, politics briefly surfaced as politicians debated who should receive credit for Mahadevi’s return. But in Nandani’s lanes and courtyards, few seemed interested in that discussion. Former MP Raju Shetti captured the public mood. If people want credit for her return, they should also take the ‘credit’ for her being taken away,” he added. It was thinking about Mahadevi. About the elephant that generations had grown up with. And as devotees queued patiently outside Mahadevi’s new home, one sentiment echoed across the village: Their daughter is finally home. Download the TOI App.
But on Saturday, Nandani was not thinking about politics, committees or controversies.
As the truck carrying Mahadevi, the beloved elephant of the local Jain math, rolled into Nandani at 12.45am after 409 days away, thousands poured onto the streets. Flower petals rained from rooftops. Firecrackers lit up the still-dark sky. Men, women and children lined the route, straining for a glimpse of the gentle giant many here lovingly call their daughter. From Gandhi Chowk to the Swastishri Jinsen Bhattarak Pattacharya Mahaswami Sansthan math, the procession moved through a sea of devotees, banners and jubilant faces. For Nandani, this was not just the return of an elephant facilitated by a high-powered committee order. It was the homecoming of a family member. Even when Mahadevi (also known as Madhuri) finally stepped out and was led into her newly renovated home, Madhuri Niwas, the celebrations showed no signs of ending. By sunrise, the math was overflowing. Elderly villagers arrived leaning on walking sticks. Families posed for photographs. Some stood silently, simply soaking in a sight many feared they might never see again. The timing could hardly have been more perfect. Mahadevi now has a newly renovated home, Madhuri Niwas. Provisions have been made for her appropriate massage, hydrotherapy and exercise The mahout’s reunion For B Ismail, Mahadevi’s mahout for nearly a decade before she was taken to Vantara in Gujarat, the moment was overwhelming.
Mahadevi, revered by many as a form of Lord Ganesh, returned home barely two days before the start of Ganeshotsav Children tugged at their parents’ hands. Barely two days before the start of Ganeshotsav, the elephant revered by many as a form of Lord Ganesh had returned to the village that had spent more than a year fighting for her homecoming. Kolhapur : Long before dawn broke over Kolhapur’s Nandani village on Saturday, the celebrations had already begun.
