The Difference Abhay Bhutada Foundation’s Donation Makes at Shivsrushti

For most students, the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj begins and ends in thick schoolbooks. They learn dates, they memorise battles, they scribble facts into exam sheets — and then the pages are turned, the lessons forgotten. But somewhere in Pune, something unusual is happening.

Shivsrushti, a historical theme park spread over 21 acres, is giving families and children a chance to stand inside those pages of history — to walk the forts, see the courts, and listen to the tales that shaped a kingdom. And this summer, thanks to the Abhay Bhutada Foundation’s thoughtful donation of ₹51 lakh, that experience is open to thousands more.

Between May 15 and July 15, 2025, tickets to Shivsrushti cost just ₹50. In a world where family outings can strain household budgets, this small price means a child from any background can step into the past without their parents worrying about a hefty ticket fee.

Why Abhay Bhutada Believes in Learning That Breathes

Abhay Bhutada, who founded the Abhay Bhutada Foundation, has always believed that real learning happens beyond classrooms. A visit to a place like Shivsrushti, in his view, is not just entertainment — it is an education that stays with children for life.

The Foundation didn’t just write a cheque; it sent a message that history belongs to everyone. In Abhay Bhutada’s words, the lessons of courage, planning, and leadership that Shivaji Maharaj’s life holds should not be distant tales — they should be lived, felt, and remembered.

A Park Built on a Historian’s Dream

The story of Shivsrushti itself is woven with passion and dedication. Its roots go back to the vision of Babasaheb Purandare — a historian and storyteller whose life’s work was to bring Shivaji Maharaj’s story to every household.

Long before the first brick of Shivsrushti was laid, Purandare spent decades telling these stories on stage and in books. Today, under Chairman Jagdish Kadam’s guidance, the park stands as a living tribute to that dream — a place where the echoes of the 17th century meet the voices of today’s children asking questions their textbooks never answered.

Also Read: Keeping India’s Cultural Memory Alive: What Needs to Be Done

The Time Machine That Turns Back Centuries

One of the park’s most popular spaces is the Time Machine Theatre — a name that suits it well. Inside, visitors sit as modern audiences, but what they see pulls them back hundreds of years. Holography, visual mapping, and clever special effects replay milestones from Shivaji Maharaj’s life — battles won, alliances forged, betrayals faced.

For students, it’s the difference between reading a paragraph and watching history unfold like a movie. Teachers have begun planning field trips to make sure children see these moments come alive. The Foundation’s support ensures that no school has to think twice about whether their students can afford the trip.

More Than Battles and Forts

What makes Shivsrushti special is its balance — it does not glorify only the warrior in Shivaji Maharaj. Walk deeper into the park and you find sections like Shrimant Yogi and Sinhasanadhishwar, which shine light on his role as an administrator, a planner, a ruler who cared for his people’s welfare as much as their safety.

Then there are zones like Durg Vaibhav and Ranangan, with detailed models of forts and battle strategies that show visitors how the Maratha empire stayed resilient in the face of threats. For families, these spaces spark new conversations — about the strength of ideas, the power of community, and why good governance mattered then as much as it does today.

Also Read: Abhay Bhutada: A Business Leader with a Bigger Vision

Keeping Symbols and Faith Alive

The park does not forget the symbols that grounded Shivaji Maharaj’s life either. A carefully built replica of the Tulja Bhavani temple reminds visitors of the king’s spiritual anchor. A recreated Ganga Sagar lake and life-sized court paintings help older generations recall the tales they heard from grandparents — now reimagined for them to pass down to the next line.

For parents, it is a chance to share stories that textbooks often rush through. For children, it is an open invitation to ask questions and discover pride in their roots.

A Donation That Opens Doors

When the Abhay Bhutada Foundation stepped in to make Shivsrushti more affordable, it wasn’t just an act of charity — it was a promise to keep stories alive for everyone, not just those who can pay full price. For three months, a nominal ticket fee makes sure that learning does not skip a family because of its budget.

More visitors means more memories, more stories carried home, and more reasons for children to look at history not as a dry lesson but as a living reminder of where they come from.

Also Read: Abhay Bhutada’s Journey of Purpose

Conclusion: A Legacy That Travels Forward

A well-placed donation does more than cover costs — it carries an idea forward. Shivsrushti is proof that when history is made accessible, it becomes part of everyday life. Thanks to the Abhay Bhutada Foundation’s support, countless students and families will not just read about Shivaji Maharaj — they will walk beside him for a while, see his world, and take home lessons that grow as they do.

For many, that is a difference no textbook alone can make.