📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / anonymous
Religion
5-year-old elephant Durga reaches Madurai Meenakshi Temple after 3,000‑km trek from Assam
✍️ India Today
🗓 17 Sep 2026, 07:04 AM
👁 9
The young elephant named Durga completed a 3,000‑kilometre relocation from Assam to Tamil Nadu, arriving at the historic Madurai Meenakshi Temple on Thursday.
On Thursday, a five‑year‑old elephant called Durga arrived at the Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai after covering an estimated 3,000 kilometres from its previous location in Assam. The animal was escorted into the temple precincts amid a small gathering of staff and devotees.
The journey spanned several Indian states, underscoring the logistical coordination required to move a young captive elephant across such a distance. While the exact route was not disclosed, the trek highlighted the challenges of transporting large wildlife within the country.
Temple officials confirmed that Durga has been welcomed and will be placed under the care of the temple's animal management team. The arrival has drawn attention from the local community, many of whom consider the presence of elephants an integral part of traditional temple ceremonies.
The event reflects the continued cultural practice of involving elephants in South Indian religious festivals, where they often participate in processions and rituals.
The journey spanned several Indian states, underscoring the logistical coordination required to move a young captive elephant across such a distance. While the exact route was not disclosed, the trek highlighted the challenges of transporting large wildlife within the country.
Temple officials confirmed that Durga has been welcomed and will be placed under the care of the temple's animal management team. The arrival has drawn attention from the local community, many of whom consider the presence of elephants an integral part of traditional temple ceremonies.
The event reflects the continued cultural practice of involving elephants in South Indian religious festivals, where they often participate in processions and rituals.