Heritage Made Simple With Support From Abhay Bhutada Foundation
- Douglas D'Souza
- May 19
- 4 min read
The cost of visiting cultural spaces can sometimes be a barrier for students, families, and history enthusiasts. Recognising this, the Abhay Bhutada Foundation has contributed Rs 51 lakhs to Shivsrushti, a history-based theme park located in Ambegaon Budruk, Pune. This donation brings the entry ticket price down to just Rs 50 between May 15 and July 15, 2025.
This step is designed to make historical education more accessible and enjoyable. Abhay Bhutada, a member of the Poonawalla Group and the founder of the Abhay Bhutada Foundation, has supported this effort with the belief that access to cultural experiences should not be restricted by financial capacity.
Experience India’s Past in a New Way
Shivsrushti is a large historical park built with the purpose of sharing the story of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. It spreads over 21 acres and was developed under the guidance of the late historian Babasaheb Purandare. The park combines storytelling with interactive technology, ensuring visitors are not just passive observers but active participants in the learning process.
At its heart, Shivsrushti is an educational space. From detailed battle displays to sections dedicated to leadership and values, every part of the park has been designed to inspire and inform. The park also features full air-conditioning, ensuring comfort for all visitors.
What You Will See Inside Shivsrushti
There are several dedicated areas inside the park, each designed to highlight a different part of Shivaji Maharaj’s legacy:
Durg Vaibhav gives insight into the planning and design of the forts built during Shivaji Maharaj’s time.
Ranangan shows how strategic thinking helped win key battles.
Shrimant Yogi focuses on the spiritual side of Shivaji Maharaj and his commitment to ethical leadership.
Sinhasanadhishwar explores the governance and policy decisions that marked his reign.
Other areas include a beautifully recreated Tulja Bhavani temple, an artificial Ganga Sagar lake, and a detailed art gallery with paintings that trace Shivaji Maharaj’s journey. These installations provide a rounded view of the life and times of one of India’s most respected figures.
Why the Rs 50 Ticket Matters
Lowering the ticket price makes it easier for school groups, cultural institutions, and even casual visitors to include Shivsrushti in their plans. During the summer months, families look for educational yet engaging places to visit. This Rs 50 initiative ensures that cost is not a reason for people to miss out on an important learning opportunity.
Ticket bookings will be made available only through the official website of Shivsrushti. This helps with planning and also ensures safety, especially when large crowds are expected.
Abhay Bhutada Foundation’s Continued Support for Cultural Education
The donation to Shivsrushti is one of many projects the Abhay Bhutada Foundation has taken up to support learning. Its approach is grounded in making real, practical changes that help people grow. Instead of focusing only on physical donations, the Foundation places value on long-term awareness and knowledge-building.
This partnership is an example of how private foundations can help public efforts thrive.
According to Shivsrushti Chairman Jagdish Kadam, the support has arrived at the right time and will help the park engage more meaningfully with the public.
Philanthropy, when aligned with a clear objective, can be very effective. Here, the objective is to connect people with their heritage in a setting that is both modern and easy to understand.
Beyond Books and Classrooms
Shivsrushti offers something different from what is found in a regular history book. It uses visuals, sounds, and detailed spaces to create a real connection between visitors and the story being told. Students especially benefit from such experiences, as they get to see history come alive.
Teachers and school management often look for places that can complement classroom learning. With this initiative, such educational trips become easier to organise. The reduced cost allows more schools to include it in their curriculum plans.
A Thoughtful Step Toward Collective Growth
There is a larger purpose behind this project. By reducing the cost of access, the Abhay Bhutada Foundation is helping people from all backgrounds to step into a place of knowledge. It sends a message that culture and learning should be available to everyone, not just a few.
Efforts like this may not always grab attention at first glance, but their effects last. A child who walks through Shivsrushti might come away with a deeper sense of pride in their roots. A parent who accompanies them might rediscover forgotten stories and values. This is the kind of subtle but strong impact that thoughtful philanthropy can achieve.
Encouraging More Public Engagement with Heritage
The hope is that this step by the Abhay Bhutada Foundation will inspire more such efforts in the future. Whether it is history, art, or science, every knowledge space needs a push from time to time to reach new people. Foundations can play a vital role in this by removing access barriers.
As thousands of visitors are expected to benefit from the Rs 50 ticket scheme, it also puts the spotlight on Shivsrushti as a cultural hub worth visiting. The initiative not only supports the park but also promotes the idea that learning should be an experience, not a burden.
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