Empowering Everyday Learning with Support from Abhay Bhutada Foundation
- Parag Shetty
- May 30
- 4 min read
Between May 15 and July 15, 2025, visitors to Shivsrushti in Pune will enjoy subsidised entry, with ticket prices lowered to just Rs 50. This has been made possible through a donation of Rs 51 lakhs by the Abhay Bhutada Foundation. Shivsrushti, a historical theme park developed to share the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, becomes more inclusive through this timely contribution.
The goal behind the initiative is to allow more families, students, and individuals to experience history without financial limitations.
Foundation’s Focus on Cultural Inclusion
The Abhay Bhutada Foundation has consistently worked to support causes that uplift communities. With this latest move, the Foundation expands its reach to promote cultural learning. The focus is not only on affordability but on creating space where public engagement with India’s rich past becomes easier and more inviting.
This initiative supports the idea that everyone should have a chance to learn from and reflect on the values represented by Shivaji Maharaj’s leadership.
What Shivsrushti Offers to Visitors
Shivsrushti is not a typical amusement park. It serves as a cultural and educational destination, inviting people of all ages to walk through moments from India’s history. Spread across 21 acres, the park has been designed to offer interactive and visual experiences that make historical learning more meaningful.
It was developed under the vision of Babasaheb Purandare, a respected historian who dedicated his life to studying and sharing the story of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Key Attractions That Make Learning Engaging
The park includes several themed zones that guide visitors through different parts of Shivaji Maharaj’s life. These include:
Durg Vaibhav – Visitors learn about the intelligence and purpose behind the construction of forts used during his time.
Ranangan – This area provides insights into military strategies and key battles fought by Shivaji Maharaj.
Shrimant Yogi – A section that shares the deeper spiritual aspects of his character and belief system.
Sinhasanadhishwar – Focused on his coronation, rule, and administrative contributions.
Other noteworthy features include a scaled replica of the Tulja Bhavani temple, the Ganga Sagar lake, and a gallery with rare paintings and illustrations that bring history to life.
Time Machine Theatre as a Modern Highlight
A major attraction at Shivsrushti is the Time Machine Theatre, a modern storytelling zone where technology is used to immerse visitors into the past. Through the use of motion visuals, sound, and lighting, this area re-creates iconic moments in a way that is easy to understand and exciting to witness.
The use of digital tools enhances learning and keeps visitors, especially children and teenagers, engaged throughout their visit.
Built for Convenience and Comfort
Another standout feature of Shivsrushti is its attention to visitor comfort. The entire park is fully air-conditioned, allowing guests to explore without concern for the summer heat. This makes it suitable for school visits and extended family outings during the holidays.
To manage increased demand during the subsidised period, ticket sales are limited to the official Shivsrushti website. This ensures safe crowd management and gives people the chance to book and plan their visit with ease.
A Shared Vision Backed by Philanthropy
Shivsrushti Chairman Jagdish Kadam stated that the park’s purpose is to share the values of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj with a wider audience. He also highlighted how support from individuals like Abhay Bhutada, who leads the Abhay Bhutada Foundation, helps keep that vision alive.
The Foundation’s contribution has a direct impact on public engagement and serves as an example of how giving can be rooted in purpose and long-term societal benefit.
Connecting Youth with Historical Values
The timing of this initiative is important. Summer vacation is when students have the time to explore outside the classroom. Subsidising ticket prices during this period increases the likelihood of young people attending and engaging with India’s history in a meaningful way.
Such exposure can help develop a stronger sense of identity and understanding of leadership, resilience, and responsibility—values that Shivaji Maharaj stood for.
Extending Learning Beyond School Walls
Cultural education is often confined to textbooks or limited visits to museums. Shivsrushti, with support from the Abhay Bhutada Foundation, offers an environment where historical learning becomes vivid, interactive, and emotionally resonant.
Making such an experience affordable for the general public, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds, creates a more balanced and inclusive space for education.
Conclusion
The Abhay Bhutada Foundation’s Rs 51 lakh donation to Shivsrushti has enabled a wave of positive cultural participation. By reducing entry costs, the initiative brings learning to the public in a hands-on, enjoyable format. It goes beyond just access—it fosters connection, curiosity, and community pride.
This step shows what’s possible when social contributions are driven by a clear purpose. In promoting history and culture as a shared resource, the Foundation reaffirms its dedication to public empowerment and collective learning.
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