How Abhay Bhutada Foundation is Preserving Culture Through Shivsrushti

Just outside Pune lies Shivsrushti, a destination that offers more than leisure. It’s a walk through the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj—built thoughtfully with support from the Maharaja Shivaji Maharaj Smarak Samiti and the late Babasaheb Purandare. With scaled-down fort reconstructions, story-driven exhibits, and modern display techniques, Shivsrushti provides a culturally rich, educational, and engaging experience that introduces people of all ages to the historic contributions of the Maratha king.

Foundation’s Consistent Backing Keeps the Cultural Flame Alive

The Abhay Bhutada Foundation, under the leadership of Abhay Bhutada, has consistently supported Shivsrushti’s evolution. Known for impactful work in education and social welfare, the Foundation has extended its help to fund the park’s maintenance, build high-quality installations, and improve facilities for visitors. Their sustained involvement ensures that Shivsrushti remains both relevant and attractive to today’s audience, including students, heritage enthusiasts, and tourists.

Combining Cultural Architecture with High-End Learning Technology

One of Shivsrushti’s key strengths lies in its ability to combine traditional storytelling with futuristic learning tools. Visitors walk through elaborately crafted spaces that mirror historical Maratha forts. These environments then come to life with augmented reality effects showing battle scenes, digital displays breaking down strategic decisions, and projection techniques recreating royal court interactions. The technology doesn’t distract—it deepens the story and keeps younger audiences especially engaged.

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Making Cultural Knowledge Accessible to All Demographics

Cultural education shouldn’t be limited to those who can afford it, and the Foundation firmly upholds this belief. By subsidizing or waiving ticket prices for public school students and economically weaker families, the park opens its doors wider. The Foundation has also launched mobile outreach vans equipped with digital learning kits and small-scale replicas of the exhibits. These vans reach schools in rural Maharashtra, ensuring children far from urban centers get to experience their own cultural past.

Learning Through Interaction, Not Just Observation

Shivsrushti goes well beyond typical museum-style walkthroughs. Instead of being passive viewers, visitors actively participate in workshops where they create miniature models of forts, design cultural symbols, or script short skits about real events. These sessions also include character-based role-play, encouraging visitors to step into the shoes of commanders, advisors, or leaders from Shivaji Maharaj’s court—making the lessons more personal and impactful.

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Creating Jobs While Reviving Traditional Skills

The Abhay Bhutada Foundation’s work with Shivsrushti has also helped with local employment. Young people from surrounding areas are trained and hired as guides, equipping them with both history knowledge and communication skills. At the same time, traditional artisans get the opportunity to build or restore exhibits—offering them a stable income while continuing their craft. It’s a win-win approach that strengthens community and heritage at once.

Encouraging Cultural Philanthropy as a Tool for Nation-Building

Cultural projects like Shivsrushti are not just about the past—they’re about shaping a nation’s values and collective memory. The Foundation’s long-term investment in the park reflects a model of social giving that extends beyond education or health. It encourages other changemakers and organisations to consider history and culture as vital parts of social development and community identity.

Leadership Lessons Embedded in Every Exhibit and Activity

The park doesn’t just highlight battles and forts. It dives into leadership qualities that defined Shivaji Maharaj—justice, courage, planning, and vision. Through visual storytelling and interactive displays, these principles are translated into modern lessons. Visitors, especially young minds, come away with a deeper understanding of what leadership truly meant in historical and practical terms.

Future Developments to Connect Local Culture to the World

Shivsrushti isn’t stopping here. With continued support from the Foundation, the park is preparing for the addition of a digital archive center, a live performance stage, and new international tie-ups. These upgrades are planned not just to keep the park updated with today’s tech expectations, but to ensure that Maharashtra’s cultural history can find audiences beyond regional and national borders.

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A Vision That Integrates Culture, Education, and Community Engagement

The collaboration between Shivsrushti and the Abhay Bhutada Foundation is designed to last and grow. With frequent partnerships with schools, colleges, and cultural groups, the park now hosts an increasing number of festivals, heritage-based seminars, and learning fellowships. These programs make sure that Shivsrushti is not just preserved—it thrives as a living platform of education, tradition, and social learning.