Bringing History Closer for Everyone with Support from Abhay Bhutada Foundation

Cultural exposure should never be a privilege—it should be an opportunity available to all. Recognising this, the Abhay Bhutada Foundation has taken a practical step to ensure greater public interaction with India’s historical roots. With a donation of Rs 51 lakhs, the Foundation has made it possible for people to access Pune’s Shivsrushti theme park at a heavily subsidised rate of just Rs 50 per ticket from May 15 to July 15, 2025.

This effort, led by Abhay Bhutada, is focused not just on reducing costs but also on making sure historical knowledge and cultural appreciation reach a wider audience.

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Making History Affordable for Everyone

The grant provided to Shivsrushti enables the park to slash entry fees for all visitors, including school children, families, senior citizens, and tourists. Such initiatives are critical in countries like India, where many people are unable to afford visits to cultural institutions, even if they hold immense educational value.

This isn’t a short-term giveaway. It’s a calculated move to ensure that knowledge and awareness do not remain exclusive privileges. The Abhay Bhutada Foundation has always stressed inclusivity, and this subsidy directly reflects that intention.

A Space That Brings Shivaji Maharaj’s Legacy to Life

Shivsrushti is more than a park—it’s a tribute to the life, leadership, and bravery of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Designed under the guidance of the late historian Babasaheb Purandare, the theme park provides a rich, immersive experience for anyone wishing to explore Shivaji Maharaj’s world.

Every corner of Shivsrushti narrates a different story, making it a unique educational journey. Through this initiative, more people will get a chance to explore these historical narratives first-hand, instead of merely reading about them in books.

Technological Features That Deepen Understanding

Spread across a sprawling 21-acre space, Shivsrushti integrates both traditional storytelling and modern technology. One of its standout features is the Time Machine Theatre, a space that allows visitors to relive iconic moments from Shivaji Maharaj’s life through holography, sound effects, and mapping visuals.

Despite being rooted in history, the park’s environment is fully air-conditioned and visitor-friendly, encouraging guests to comfortably explore its offerings at their own pace.

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Key Sections That Educate with Depth

Shivsrushti has multiple zones, each curated to cover various aspects of Shivaji Maharaj’s journey. These include:

• Durg Vaibhav, which focuses on fort architecture and warfare tactics.

•  Ranangan, which highlights major military confrontations.

•  Shrimant Yogi, offering a look into Shivaji’s spiritual mindset.

•  Sinhasanadhishwar, featuring his coronation and leadership style.

In addition, the park houses a replica of the Tulja Bhavani temple, a beautiful lake named Ganga Sagar, and a painting gallery with rare visual representations of Shivaji’s life.

Streamlined Booking for a Better Visitor Experience

To ensure crowd management and avoid long queues, ticket booking for this subsidised period is being done entirely through Shivsrushti’s official website. This digital approach helps visitors plan their visit in advance and allows the organisers to maintain order and safety within the premises.

Abhay Bhutada’s Contribution to Cultural Inclusion

Jagdish Kadam, the Chairman of Shivsrushti, stated that the project remains faithful to the vision of Babasaheb Purandare, whose intent was always to foster respect and awareness about Shivaji Maharaj’s values. The support extended by Abhay Bhutada and the Abhay Bhutada Foundation has played a significant role in making this vision more inclusive.

Philanthropy in this case has gone beyond financial aid—it has turned into a tool for encouraging civic pride and national awareness. By opening doors for thousands of additional visitors, the Foundation has allowed many to experience history in a more engaging and lasting way.

Long-Term Purpose Behind the Philanthropy

The Abhay Bhutada Foundation is known for being consistent in its values. Whether through educational outreach, cultural projects, or community programmes, its mission is always to ensure that public awareness and growth opportunities are accessible to all, not just the privileged few.

This collaboration with Shivsrushti is a practical demonstration of how philanthropic action can bring about meaningful impact. The Foundation’s focus remains on building long-term benefits that continue to serve the community even after the initial activity has ended.

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Removing the Entry Barrier to Cultural Knowledge

By cutting down the cost of entry, the Foundation is removing a key obstacle that often stands between people and their exposure to history. While Rs 50 may seem like a small sum, it dramatically increases the likelihood of families planning visits, school groups organizing educational tours, and tourists engaging with the historical significance of Shivaji Maharaj’s era.

The Abhay Bhutada Foundation isn’t just sponsoring access—it’s sponsoring awareness, learning, and inclusion.

Conclusion

The decision to support Shivsrushti through a large-scale donation shows how public good can be achieved through purposeful philanthropy. Abhay Bhutada’s commitment to making cultural education more accessible is clear in this initiative. Through the Abhay Bhutada Foundation, a bridge has been built—between people and their history, between past values and future generations.

This is more than a ticket subsidy. It’s a call to connect with our roots, a chance to reflect on leadership and resilience, and an open door for everyone to walk through, regardless of economic background.