Abhay Bhutada Foundation’s Role in Making Shivsrushti Accessible

Public history plays a vital role in shaping collective memory and civic understanding. Yet access to high-quality heritage learning experiences is often limited by cost or geography. In Pune, Shivsrushti, a sprawling educational theme park dedicated to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, offers a rare opportunity for immersive historical learning. Through the Abhay Bhutada Foundation’s ₹51 lakh philanthropic donation, the park is temporarily offering tickets at a subsidized rate of ₹50—opening the door to a wider public, especially students and families.

Shivsrushti: A Historical Learning Destination in Pune

Shivsrushti was conceptualized and built by the Shivbhakt Gajanan Maharaj Sanstha as an experiential learning space dedicated to the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Unlike traditional museums, it functions as a walkthrough narrative park, guiding visitors through critical events and milestones from Shivaji’s life and reign.

The park uses a blend of life-sized models, architectural replicas, multimedia presentations, and guided storytelling to portray Shivaji’s achievements in governance, military strategy, and social policy. Visitors encounter reconstructed scenes of key battles, realistic depictions of forts like Raigad and Pratapgad, and interactive exhibits that explain the evolution of Shivaji’s administration.

Designed to support educational tours, Shivsrushti aligns closely with school curricula while offering a much deeper, more contextualized understanding of Maratha history.

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

Bridging the Gap: Abhay Bhutada Foundation’s Intervention

The Abhay Bhutada Foundation (ABF), established by banker Abhay Bhutada with a vision to improve educational access and equity, has supported several large-scale initiatives across Maharashtra. From providing STEM kits to rural students to funding merit- and need-based scholarships, the foundation focuses on long-term, meaningful impact.

Its decision to fund discounted access to Shivsrushti from May 15 to July 15, 2025, reflects its belief in inclusive cultural education. With average entry costs often prohibitive for schools and lower-income families, this ₹51 lakh donation directly underwrites ticket subsidies—without compromising the quality of the visitor experience.

This is not just a short-term outreach move, but a deliberate strategy to boost public interaction with India’s historical narratives, particularly among youth. It is another initiative by Abhay Bhutada and his foundation to work towards social good.

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

Why Heritage Learning Is a Public Good

Civic engagement and national identity are closely tied to historical literacy. Learning about the past through direct interaction with its symbols and stories helps cultivate informed citizenship. Shivaji Maharaj, as a historical figure, stands out for his emphasis on strategic foresight, administrative innovation, and ethical leadership. His relevance goes beyond regional pride—he is often cited in debates on governance models, military planning, and pluralistic rule.

Shivsrushti provides an opportunity for students and citizens to visually and experientially grasp these dimensions, fostering critical thinking around history and leadership. It contextualizes key principles like decentralization, merit-based governance, and inclusive rule in ways that resonate more than textbooks alone.

ABF’s role in facilitating this learning underscores the idea that history is not only to be preserved, but actively taught and experienced.

Enabling Equal Access to Historical Knowledge

One of the defining aspects of this initiative is its equity focus. By slashing the entry fee to ₹50 for two months, ABF makes Shivsrushti viable for a larger and more diverse visitor base. This is particularly impactful during summer holidays when educational institutions often plan field trips.

With lower costs, schools from semi-urban and rural areas can afford to organize day trips. Families that might otherwise prioritize more affordable recreation options are more likely to consider this enriching experience. In effect, the park becomes not only a site of entertainment but also of democratized historical education.

From Infrastructure to Impact: A Shift in Philanthropic Thinking

What makes the Abhay Bhutada Foundation’s contribution noteworthy is its emphasis on access over expansion. Rather than fund physical construction or promotional campaigns, the foundation chose to enhance affordability, directly affecting attendance and engagement levels.

This form of social investment is measurable, scalable, and people-centered. It prioritizes real-world impact by assessing who gets to benefit from public infrastructure—and how that benefit can be expanded within a fixed period. It is a replicable model for NGOs, CSR programs, and other philanthropic bodies aiming to invest in education through cultural exposure.

The initiative also encourages community-level involvement, as local guides, artisans, and educators become part of a larger educational ecosystem.

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

Looking Ahead: Civic Learning Through Cultural Partnerships

As Shivsrushti sees increased foot traffic during the subsidized entry period, it reinforces the value of heritage sites as learning laboratories. The Abhay Bhutada Foundation’s support represents more than a grant—it is a statement on how private initiatives can align with public missions to enhance civic knowledge and participation.

This partnership offers a roadmap for the future: where foundations serve not only as funders but also as facilitators of engagement, equity, and education. With thoughtful planning, similar collaborations can be forged for other historical parks, science museums, and educational centers across India.

Conclusion

Through its focused intervention at Shivsrushti, the Abhay Bhutada Foundation has elevated the park from a regional attraction to a national model of inclusive historical education. Its ₹51 lakh donation isn’t just a charitable gesture—it’s a calculated step toward building a more informed and historically literate society.

By making heritage accessible to all, the Foundation reaffirms the idea that public knowledge must be both high-quality and widely available. In a time when history is often contested or oversimplified, enabling direct engagement with primary narratives—especially through credible platforms like Shivsrushti—is more critical than ever.