Young elephant ‘Durga’ from Assam to reach Madurai Meenakshi temple; activists raise concerns over transfer

A five-year-old elephant named 'Durga' from the state of Assam is set to make a journey to the Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple in Tamil Nadu, slated to arrive late on Sunday, September 13, 2026. The transfer, previously approved by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department, is being closely watched amid recent legal proceedings at the Madras High Court.

Chief Wildlife Warden Rakesh Kumar Dogra confirmed that a 'No Objection Certificate' (NOC) was issued last week to allow the transfer. Prior to the NOC, the District Captive Elephant Management Committee inspected the premises and ensured that the elephant would have access to essential facilities such as mud baths, water sources, and ample walking space.

The Seva Trust, a Chennai-based organization, had brought up the issue before the High Court, raising concerns over the proposed donation of five elephants from Assam to temples in Tamil Nadu. Following the court proceedings, the Madras High Court directed the State to make a decision on pending applications within a week and set a hearing for September 16.

If the transfer goes through, 'Durga' will join a list of five proposed destinations for these elephants: Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai, Arunachaleswarar Temple in Tiruvannamalai, Kancheepuram Mutt, Vaitheeswaran Temple in Mayiladuthurai, and Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram.

Activists have expressed concerns over the logistics of transporting five elephants over a distance of nearly 3,000 kilometers, as well as the rapidity with which the approvals have been granted. Arun Prasanna of People For Cattle in India (PFCI) questioned the circumstances surrounding the elephants' ownership and the welfare of the mother elephants. He emphasized that taking care of a baby elephant is significantly more challenging than caring for an adult one.