Making Culture Reach Everyone with Help from Abhay Bhutada Foundation

The Abhay Bhutada Foundation has stepped forward with a significant contribution of Rs 51 lakhs to Shivsrushti, a historical theme park located in Ambegaon Budruk, Pune. This support enables the park to offer entry tickets at a much-reduced cost of Rs 50 for all visitors between May 15 and July 15, 2025. The objective is clear—to encourage more people to engage with India’s rich history, especially students and families who might otherwise be unable to afford the visit.

This donation shows a strong dedication to community involvement, awareness-building, and education, all of which are central to the mission of the Abhay Bhutada Foundation.

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Bridging the Gap between Culture and the Common Man

This effort by the Foundation focuses on making cultural spaces more inclusive and welcoming. By reducing the financial burden, the Foundation has taken an important step toward bridging the gap between historical knowledge and the everyday Indian citizen. The move especially benefits young learners and people from lower-income groups who often miss out on such enriching experiences.

This isn’t just about promoting tourism; it’s about giving people the opportunity to learn about their past in an interactive and memorable way.

Shivsrushti Offers a Technological Take on History

Shivsrushti is unlike most theme parks. Spread across 21 acres, it was built to provide a unique, educational view of the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The park follows the vision of the late historian Babasaheb Purandare and is built to blend storytelling with state-of-the-art technology.

A key feature of the park is the Time Machine Theatre. This section uses holographic visuals, sound effects, and special lighting to recreate historical moments from Shivaji Maharaj’s life. It’s an immersive experience that teaches while entertaining, especially effective for younger audiences.

Learning through Visual Narratives

The park offers various sections, each with its own theme and objective. These include:

• Durg Vaibhav – A detailed exhibit that explores the construction and defensive logic behind the forts established during Shivaji Maharaj’s reign.

• Ranangan – Focuses on his major battles, offering visitors a look into his strategies and decision-making in wartime.

• Shrimant Yogi – Brings attention to the spiritual and moral sides of Shivaji Maharaj’s personality.

• Sinhasanadhishwar – This area focuses on his coronation and administrative policies.

Visitors can also explore replicas of culturally significant sites like the Tulja Bhavani temple and Ganga Sagar lake, as well as a display gallery of rare artistic prints portraying key moments from Shivaji Maharaj’s life.

Easy Booking and Visitor Comfort

Shivsrushti has been designed with comfort in mind. It is fully air-conditioned, making it suitable for visitors during the summer heat. This becomes particularly important when the target audience includes families and school groups.

To handle the surge in footfall expected due to the ticket subsidy, the park has opted for an online-only ticketing system. Bookings can be made on the park’s official website, ensuring convenience and safety for all visitors.

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A Vision Aligned with Cultural Growth

Jagdish Kadam, Chairman of Shivsrushti, expressed that the theme park is dedicated to the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. He emphasised that the objective is to communicate the leader’s values, bravery, and contributions to Indian society. Support from Abhay Bhutada, who founded the Abhay Bhutada Foundation, has been essential in helping the park reach this broader vision.

The collaboration demonstrates how individuals and organisations can come together to support not just infrastructure, but the minds and hearts of a population.

Long-Term Value from Targeted Support

The Abhay Bhutada Foundation is known for its consistent involvement in causes that matter. Whether it is education, health, or culture, the Foundation’s support is always structured around making real and long-lasting changes.

By supporting Shivsrushti, the Foundation is investing in a future where more people, especially the younger generation, grow up with an appreciation for their historical and cultural heritage.

This isn’t just a one-time benefit—it’s a move that encourages cultural literacy and national pride in the long run.

Encouraging Cultural Exploration

This initiative also sets an example for how access to learning should be viewed—not as a privilege but as a right. History belongs to everyone, and this effort makes that idea a reality. Lowering the ticket price opens the gates to thousands of people who can now explore, question, and understand India’s past in an interactive and informative way.

It’s a reminder that thoughtful donations can go a long way in shaping a more informed and aware society.

Also Read:  Making History Affordable for All Through Cultural Philanthropy

Conclusion

The reduced ticket pricing at Shivsrushti, made possible by the Abhay Bhutada Foundation, is more than a generous act—it’s a symbol of what focused philanthropy can achieve. The effort blends cultural access, public participation, and educational intent into a well-rounded initiative.

By supporting this project, the Foundation is not just funding an activity—it is nurturing pride, curiosity, and understanding among people from all walks of life. It proves that opening doors to history starts with opening doors to opportunity.