Killotsav 2026: Pune to Attempt World Record with Miniature Soil Forts at Saras Baug on November 1

Pune, 23rd October 2026: Maharashtra’s historic forts have stood for centuries as symbols of courage, self-respect and cultural identity. On November 1, Punekars will have an opportunity to celebrate this legacy in a creative way as hundreds of participants are expected to come together at Saras Baug to build miniature forts using soil as part of Killotsav 2026 – Our Heritage, Our Pride!

Organised by Artwala Foundation and Aarambh Foundation, with the participation of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), the initiative will feature a world record attempt through the collective creation of miniature forts. The event aims to reconnect children and young people with Maharashtra’s rich history while preserving the traditional art of building forts using soil.

Scheduled for Sunday, November 1, 2026, the event will bring together students, parents, history enthusiasts, artists and admirers of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj around a shared cultural experience.

For the organisers, however, the initiative is about more than attempting a world record. It is an effort to ensure that the stories, architecture and spirit of Maharashtra’s forts remain relevant to younger generations.

Bringing Maharashtra’s Fort Heritage to a New Generation

Maharashtra’s forts are closely associated with the history of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the Maratha kingdom. From hill forts built into rugged landscapes to strategically located coastal fortifications, these structures reflect the military planning, architectural ingenuity and resilience of their times.

Yet, for many children growing up in an increasingly digital world, history can often remain confined to textbooks, photographs and classroom lessons.

Killotsav seeks to bridge that gap by giving children and families an opportunity to engage with history through their own hands. Building miniature forts using soil can encourage children to explore fort architecture, understand defensive structures and develop an appreciation for the historical significance of these landmarks.

Sandeep Bhamkar, founder of Artwala Foundation, said the initiative seeks to make Maharashtra’s heritage an active part of children’s lives rather than something they encounter only in books.

“Our forts are not just structures made of stone; they represent the courage, vision and self-respect that form an important part of Maharashtra’s history. Through Killotsav, we want children to experience this heritage creatively and develop a lasting connection with it. When a child builds a fort with their own hands, curiosity about its history comes naturally.”

Bhamkar said the collective effort would also give participants an opportunity to contribute to a larger cultural initiative while experiencing the traditional art of miniature fort-making.

More Than a World Record: An Exercise in Cultural Preservation

The proposed world record attempt is expected to be the central attraction of Killotsav 2026. Participants will come together at Saras Baug to create miniature forts using soil during a designated two-hour period.
The organisers hope that the scale of collective participation will draw attention to Maharashtra’s fort heritage and demonstrate how traditional art forms can bring communities together.

Deepashree Pawar, founder of Aarambh Foundation, said the initiative is intended to create a meaningful connection between children, families and Maharashtra’s cultural traditions.

“Our aim is to make heritage something that children can see, touch, understand and take pride in. Miniature fort-making offers them a creative way to learn about Maharashtra’s glorious past while developing patience, imagination and respect for our traditions. We want families to participate together and help pass this legacy on to the next generation.”

Pawar added that the participation of citizens from different age groups would help make the event a shared community experience, with the larger message of preserving heritage extending beyond the venue.

The organisers believe that collective cultural activities can encourage people to take a greater interest in historical monuments and understand the importance of protecting them for future generations.

An Invitation to Students, Parents and History Enthusiasts

Killotsav 2026 is being planned as an inclusive event for students, young people, parents, art lovers and anyone interested in Maharashtra’s history.
For children, the activity offers an opportunity to combine creativity with learning. For parents, it provides a chance to introduce their children to regional history through a hands-on experience. History enthusiasts and admirers of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj can participate in a collective celebration of the legacy associated with Maharashtra’s forts.

The organisers also hope that the initiative will renew interest in the traditional practice of building miniature forts, particularly during the festive season when the cultural significance of forts and Maratha history is celebrated in many parts of Maharashtra.

By bringing this tradition into a large public gathering, the foundations aim to encourage younger generations to see heritage not merely as a legacy inherited from the past, but as a responsibility that must be carried forward.

Registration and Timings for Killotsav 2026
The miniature fort-making world record attempt will take place at Saras Baug, Pune, on Sunday, November 1, from 4 pm to 6 pm.

Participants have been requested to complete the necessary registration in advance and arrive at the venue by 2:30 pm to allow time for reporting and event arrangements.

Event details
Event: Killotsav 2026 – Our Heritage, Our Pride!
Date: Sunday, November 1, 2026
Venue: Saras Baug, Pune
Participant reporting time: By 2:30 pm
World record attempt: 4 pm to 6 pm
Organisers: Artwala Foundation and Aarambh Foundation
Civic participation: Pune Municipal Corporation
Registration and contact: 9167877224 / 9881008419
Website: www.artwala.org

Interested participants can contact the organisers for registration details and further information.

A Collective Effort to Keep History Alive

A world record, if achieved and officially recognised, could give Killotsav wider visibility. But the organisers’ larger ambition is to make Maharashtra’s fort heritage more accessible to children and families through participation, creativity and shared learning.

As participants gather at Saras Baug to shape miniature forts from soil, the initiative will seek to bring the past into the present in a tangible way.
The message behind Killotsav 2026 is simple: preserving heritage begins with understanding it, taking pride in it and ensuring that the next generation has an opportunity to experience it.

For Punekars, the event offers a chance to contribute to that effort collectively — one miniature fort at a time.

Killotsav 2026 – Our Heritage, Our Pride!