Abhay Bhutada Foundation Brings Shivsrushti to Every Family

 Shivsrushti, Asia’s largest historical theme park in Ambegaon Budruk, Pune, will admit visitors for just ₹50 from 15 May to 15 July 2025. The steep reduction, funded by a ₹51-lakh grant from the Abhay Bhutada Foundation, removes the price barrier that often keeps heritage sites out of reach for ordinary households. Instead of setting aside a large family budget, parents can now include the park in weekend plans without hesitation. The initiative deliberately overlaps the summer break so schools can organise budget-friendly field trips that complement classroom lessons on Indian history.

Also read - Abhay Bhutada Foundation Makes History Accessible at Shivsrushti Theme Park

Opening Heritage to Wider Audiences

Affordable tickets change the visitor mix in profound ways. Rural schoolchildren travelling to Pune for the first time will stand beside city students, sharing the same interactive displays and discovering the same stories of valor and governance. Families who once relied solely on textbooks can now experience three-dimensional recreations that strengthen retention and spark curiosity. Retirees on limited pensions, too, gain a dignified way to reconnect with cultural roots, demonstrating that learning has no age limit.

Shivsrushti at a Glance

Spread across twenty-one thoughtfully landscaped acres, Shivsrushti is neither an amusement park nor a static museum but a hybrid learning space. Life-size scenes of seventeenth-century court life appear next to holographic battle sequences, creating a seamless blend of physical craftsmanship and digital storytelling. Each pathway is lined with interpretive panels in Marathi, Hindi, and English so language never blocks understanding. Visitor feedback stations at every zone let guests suggest improvements, ensuring the park evolves with community input.

Signature Experiences Within the Park

Time Machine Theatre envelopes guests in 360-degree projections, surround sound, and gentle floor vibrations that mimic horseback gallops, making decisive moments in Shivaji Maharaj’s career feel immediate and personal.
Durg Vaibhav and Ranangan present detailed scale models of forts—including Raigad and Sinhagad—alongside animated maps that track troop movements in real time, revealing why terrain knowledge was Shivaji’s secret weapon.
Shrimant Yogi and Sinhasanadhishwar use audio diaries and interactive tablets to unpack the king’s administrative reforms, such as land-revenue systems and village-level justice, helping visitors connect past policies with modern governance.
Cultural Replicas like the Tulja Bhavani Temple and Ganga Sagar Lake come alive through ambient incense, devotional music, and short documentaries featuring historians who explain how faith shaped political decisions.

Also read - The Vision and Values That Shaped Abhay Bhutada’s Remarkable Journey

How to Secure the ₹50 Ticket

Reservations open every Monday at 10 a.m. on the official Shivsrushti website, and slots are released week by week to distribute footfall evenly. Digital tickets carry a QR code that speeds up entry and reduces paper waste. For large school groups, dedicated time bands ensure children have ample room at each exhibit, and teachers receive complimentary study packs aligned with state curricula. Visitors arriving by public transport can hop on a free electric shuttle from the nearest bus stop, further easing access.

Abhay Bhutada’s Broader Mission

The foundation’s flagship programme, LearnByDoing, has shipped over 60,000 STEM kits to government schools, proving its long-standing focus on experiential learning. Abhay Bhutada believes cultural intelligence is as critical as scientific literacy, seeing both as pillars of an empowered society. By pairing hands-on science with immersive history, the foundation nurtures balanced thinkers who appreciate innovation and tradition alike. Annual impact reports published online keep donors and communities informed about measurable outcomes.

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

Why This Initiative Matters

When diverse audiences share the same cultural space, empathy and civic pride naturally grow. Students who watch the Time Machine Theatre often return home to discuss fort engineering or wartime ethics at the dinner table, enriching household conversations. Teachers report higher exam scores when textbook material is reinforced through field experiences. Small vendors outside the park note increased income, illustrating how cultural tourism can stimulate local economies without massive infrastructure projects.

Beyond the Offer Window

Park management aims to channel the temporary ticket revenue into permanent upgrades such as Braille signage and wheelchair-friendly ramps. Plans are underway for scholar-led evening walks that dissect the symbolism behind architectural motifs, extending learning opportunities into twilight hours. A travelling miniature version of the fort models will tour rural Maharashtra, ensuring remote villages also taste the Shivsrushti experience.

Conclusion Inspiring Futures Through the Past

By underwriting discounted entry, the Abhay Bhutada’s foundation transforms Shivsrushti into a democratic classroom under open skies. Community leaders call it a model for cultural inclusion that other states can replicate. Visitors leave entertained, educated, and newly aware that India’s heritage belongs to everyone, not just those who can afford high admission fees. The summer of 2025 will thus be remembered not just for vacation fun but for a collective rediscovery of Maratha brilliance.