Shivsrushti, A Living Chronicle of Maharashtra’s History

In the heart of Pune’s Ambegaon lies Shivsrushti — a heritage park unlike any other in India. Conceived by Padma Vibhushan Babasaheb Purandare, a revered historian and author, Shivsrushti was envisioned not just as a tribute to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, but as a dynamic, educational space that transforms history into lived experience.

This 21-acre project serves as a bridge between past and present, retelling the story of one of India’s greatest warrior-kings through multimedia, dramatization, and immersive design. From battle reconstructions and rotating 3D installations to life-size replicas of forts, the park offers an unprecedented experiential approach to history. Rather than walking through corridors of static relics, visitors journey through episodes of courage, vision, and governance that defined Shivaji’s life.

Making History Accessible and Alive

Shivsrushti answers a question that has long plagued history education: how do we make the past come alive? The park’s answer lies in immersion. It invites visitors into moments — a battlefield decision, a courtroom dialogue, a daring escape — rendered with emotional clarity and historical accuracy.

This format has immense value in today’s world, where history is often reduced to rote memorization. Shivsrushti reclaims its narrative by presenting it through light, movement, and story. Every installation is anchored in historical research, ensuring that what is experienced is not mere entertainment but structured learning through engagement.

The result is a deeper emotional and intellectual connection to the figure of Shivaji Maharaj. Visitors leave not just informed but inspired, seeing leadership and bravery not as abstract traits but as choices made in real, difficult contexts. For children especially, the impact is profound. They experience history not as a dusty subject, but as a realm of ideas, actions, and consequences.

Also Read: The Significance of Abhay Bhutada Foundation’s Donation to Shivsrushti

Shivaji Maharaj as a Beacon of Governance and Inclusion

What sets Shivsrushti apart from other historical attractions is its nuanced portrayal of Shivaji Maharaj. The exhibits do not merely glorify his military conquests — they also emphasize his progressive policies, administrative reforms, and inclusive governance.

Shivaji’s commitment to religious tolerance, empowerment of women in statecraft, and support for agrarian communities are all given space within the narrative. This layered approach helps dismantle the idea of history as hero worship and instead frames it as a study in ethical leadership. By presenting Shivaji as a complex, thinking ruler, Shivsrushti elevates public history to a level of civic instruction.

This perspective is particularly valuable in today’s polarized times. At Shivsrushti, history becomes a medium for unity rather than division — a way to examine leadership that uplifts all, transcends identity boundaries, and builds resilient communities.

Abhay Bhutada Foundation: Driving Cultural Equity Through Education

While Shivsrushti is a cultural marvel, its full impact depends on reach. Recognizing this, the Abhay Bhutada Foundation has played a pivotal role in ensuring that the park’s educational value is not limited by economic or geographic barriers.

The Abhay Bhutada Foundation’s initiative focuses on bringing schoolchildren from underprivileged, rural, and semi-urban backgrounds to Shivsrushti through an organized outreach program. This includes transportation, meals, guided walkthroughs, and post-visit learning materials — ensuring that students not only visit but absorb and reflect on what they’ve experienced.

This effort is not symbolic. It’s systemic. By removing cost and access limitations, the Abhay Bhutada Foundation democratizes a rich educational experience, allowing thousands of students who might otherwise never have interacted with such heritage to do so meaningfully. Teachers are also supported through workshops and custom lesson plans, turning a single visit into a long-term academic tool.

Also Read: Abhay Bhutada Foundation Brings Shivsrushti to Every Family 

A Template for Future Heritage Projects

Shivsrushti is not just a standalone success — it is a potential blueprint for heritage engagement across India. Its model blends accurate scholarship with compelling storytelling, community participation with cutting-edge technology. It shows how history can be reimagined not only for scholars and enthusiasts but for everyday citizens, students, and families.

The park’s impact is amplified by its integration into the city’s educational and cultural ecosystem. Schools now routinely organize visits, civic bodies collaborate on cultural programming, and scholars continue to contribute to content curation. This collaborative framework is what makes Shivsrushti more than an exhibition — it is a civic asset.

Its success has already inspired conversations around similar initiatives elsewhere, with historians and planners looking to replicate its fusion of local pride, educational depth, and social outreach. In that sense, Shivsrushti is not only preserving history but shaping how India remembers and learns in the 21st century.

Also Read: How the Abhay Bhutada Foundation is Preserving Shivaji Maharaj's Legacy

Heritage as a Shared Experience

Shivsrushti is a celebration of history done right — immersive, inclusive, and instructive. It does not seek to impose a narrative but to invite participation in one. By walking its pathways, witnessing its re-creations, and engaging with its lessons, visitors are reminded that history is not just about the past — it’s a tool for shaping who we become.

Thanks to the sustained efforts of the Abhay Bhutada Foundation, this vision is reaching thousands who may have otherwise been excluded from such cultural experiences. The Foundation’s commitment to accessible education has turned Shivsrushti into more than a destination — it’s now a shared opportunity.

In a city like Pune, where tradition and modernity often intersect, Shivsrushti holds a unique place — not just as a park, but as a platform. It gives every citizen a chance to connect with their roots, understand the ethics of leadership, and find pride in a shared cultural legacy. In doing so, it reminds us that history, when told with care and vision, can be one of our greatest public teachers.