How the Abhay Bhutada Foundation Is Enhancing Access to Shivsrushti

Cultural education in India often grapples with questions of access and outreach. While heritage sites offer immense learning potential, high costs and limited awareness can make them inaccessible to many. In Pune, a strategic initiative by the Abhay Bhutada Foundation (ABF) aims to address this challenge by enhancing public access to Shivsrushti, a historical theme park dedicated to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. By contributing ₹51 lakh toward subsidizing entry fees, the Foundation is playing a key role in expanding the educational and cultural footprint of the site.

The result is a rare blend of philanthropy, heritage tourism, and inclusive education—positioning Shivsrushti as a case study in accessible experiential learning.

Shivsrushti: A Historical Learning Ecosystem

Built by the Shivbhakt Gajanan Maharaj Sanstha, Shivsrushti is designed as a fully immersive theme park chronicling the life and leadership of Shivaji Maharaj. Spread over a large area, the site features architectural reconstructions, narrative exhibits, live enactments, and curated walk-throughs that highlight key moments in Maratha history.

What makes the park significant is its educational intent. Shivaji’s life—spanning military innovation, statecraft, and civil reform—is presented through dynamic displays that cater to both children and adults. Rather than rely on static text panels, Shivsrushti engages its visitors through storytelling, multi-sensory exhibits, and structured guides, offering a vivid alternative to conventional classroom teaching.

For school groups in particular, the park represents a valuable learning environment. It connects textbook content with historical imagination, supporting lessons in history, governance, strategy, and social studies.

Also Read: Abhay Bhutada Foundation Makes History Accessible at Shivsrushti Theme Park

The Abhay Bhutada Foundation’s Strategic Support

The Abhay Bhutada Foundation has consistently focused on education, inclusion, and social development. Founded by banker and philanthropist, Abhay Bhutada, they are known for projects ranging from rural STEM kit distribution to academic scholarships, ABF’s latest contribution toward Shivsrushti continues its mission of enabling equitable learning opportunities.

Between May 15 and July 15, 2025, ABF’s funding allows Shivsrushti to drop its standard entry ticket to ₹50—a pricing model that is especially helpful for schools, low-income families, and budget travelers. This support covers a portion of operational costs during peak season, helping the park maintain quality programming while increasing footfall.

The Abhay Bhutada Foundation’s approach is targeted: instead of infrastructural expansion or branding, the focus is on visitor access. By enabling more people to engage with the exhibits, the Foundation ensures that history is not a privilege but a shared resource.

Inclusive Heritage Tourism as a Social Equalizer

India’s cultural tourism sector, while growing, often remains skewed toward urban and affluent demographics. Sites like forts, museums, and heritage parks are frequently beyond the financial reach of many. ABF’s intervention demonstrates a practical model for how targeted funding can create more inclusive access to cultural experiences.

This becomes especially relevant in the context of educational field trips, which can be cost-prohibitive for government or low-budget schools. A site like Shivsrushti offers an academically valuable outing, but group visits often hinge on affordability. By reducing costs, the Foundation is effectively supporting hundreds of potential school visits that might otherwise not take place.

The temporary price reduction also encourages repeat visits, allowing families and educators to revisit the space, engage in deeper learning, and explore various exhibits at a comfortable pace.

Also Read: The Vision and Values That Shaped Abhay Bhutada’s Remarkable Journey

Why Shivaji Maharaj’s Story Still Resonates

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is an enduring figure in Indian history for his visionary leadership, commitment to public welfare, and emphasis on strategic autonomy. He built a strong administrative apparatus, developed coastal defenses through naval power, and promoted religious inclusivity in governance—practices that continue to be analyzed in academic and civil discourse.

Shivsrushti presents these ideas through reconstructed forts, dioramas, digital installations, and guided narration. From the siege of Kondhana to his coronation at Raigad, historical moments are not only illustrated but explained—highlighting decision-making, ethics, and public service in historical context.

For students of civics, history, or political science, such representations create stronger cognitive associations and help bridge the gap between abstract curriculum and real-world relevance.

Scaling the Model for Other Heritage Sites

ABF’s partnership with Shivsrushti serves as a scalable model for heritage promotion. While India boasts thousands of culturally significant locations, many remain under-visited due to cost or logistics. By supporting affordable access over capital-intensive investments, foundations and private institutions can significantly widen engagement.

Moreover, this approach complements broader government initiatives under policies like Dekho Apna Desh and NEP 2020, both of which emphasize experiential learning and domestic tourism. Public-private partnerships like this can create sustainable ecosystems where culture, education, and tourism reinforce each other.

There is also room for replication in different formats—such as language-specific tours, mobile exhibits for rural areas, and digital walkthroughs backed by similar philanthropic initiatives.

Also Read: Shivsrushti Opens Doors Wider with Rs 50 Tickets Backed by Abhay Bhutada Foundation’s Generous Support

Conclusion

Through its ₹51 lakh support for subsidized entry to Shivsrushti, the Abhay Bhutada Foundation is not merely funding a cultural site—it is investing in public learning, civic engagement, and educational inclusion. The initiative makes a powerful case for how access-focused philanthropy can redefine how Indians interact with their history.

By supporting open, affordable cultural experiences, ABF demonstrates a clear understanding of how social equity intersects with heritage education. The effort is both timely and necessary, serving as a reminder that cultural literacy must be inclusive to be meaningful—and that learning about the past should be available to all, not just a few.