Pune to attempt world record with mini mud forts at Saras Baug on November 1

Pune, October 23, 2026: Maharashtra's historic forts have for centuries stood as symbols of courage, self-respect and cultural identity. Puneites will get a chance to celebrate that heritage in a different way on November 1, when hundreds of people will gather at Saras Baug to build small forts from clay as part of Killotsav 2026 - Our Heritage, Our Pride!

The event is being organised by the Artwala Foundation and the Aarambh Foundation, with participation from the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). Together, participants will build small forts in an attempt to set a world record. The aim is to connect children and young people with Maharashtra's rich history and to keep alive the old art of building forts from clay.

The event is on Sunday, November 1, 2026. School children, their parents, history enthusiasts, artists and admirers of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj will take part together.

For the organisers, it is not only about the world record. They want the stories, design and spirit of Maharashtra's forts to matter to the new generation.

Maharashtra's forts are closely tied to the history of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the Maratha empire. From hill forts to sea forts standing at strategic locations, these structures reflect the military planning, architectural understanding and resilience of that era.

But for many children growing up in today's digital age, history is limited to books, pictures and classroom lessons. Killotsav seeks to narrow that distance. Children and families will be able to touch history with their own hands. While building small clay forts, children will see how forts were designed, understand their defensive structures and feel the historical importance of these places.

Sandeep Bhamkar, founder of the Artwala Foundation, said the initiative aims to make Maharashtra's heritage an active part of children's lives, so that it is not found only in books.

"Our forts are not just stone structures. They are symbols of the courage, thinking and self-respect that are an important part of Maharashtra's history. Through Killotsav, we want children to feel this heritage creatively and stay connected to it for good. When a child builds a fort with their own hands, curiosity to learn its history awakens on its own," he said.

According to Bhamkar, working together will also give people a chance to be part of a large cultural initiative and to try the traditional art of building small forts themselves.

The proposed world record attempt will be the biggest attraction of Killotsav 2026. During a fixed two-hour period, people will gather at Saras Baug and build small forts from clay. The organisers hope such large participation will draw attention to Maharashtra's fort heritage and show how traditional arts bring people together.

Deepashri Pawar, founder of the Aarambh Foundation, said the initiative aims to build a meaningful bond between children, families and Maharashtra's cultural traditions.

"Our aim is for heritage to become something children can see, touch, understand and take pride in. Building small forts gives them a creative way to learn about Maharashtra's glorious past, and also brings patience, imagination and respect for their traditions. We want families to take part together and pass this heritage on to the next generation," she said.

Pawar also said that with citizens of different ages taking part, the event will become a shared experience for all, and the larger message of preserving heritage will travel beyond the grounds. The organisers believe such collective activities can increase people's interest in historic structures and help them understand the importance of preserving them for future generations.

Killotsav 2026 is open to all. Students, young people, parents, art lovers and anyone interested in Maharashtra's history can take part. For children, it is a chance to combine creativity and learning. Parents can introduce their children to regional history through learning by doing. History buffs and admirers of Shivaji Maharaj can join in a collective celebration of the heritage of forts.

The organisers also hope that in the festive season, when the importance of forts and Maratha history is celebrated in many parts of Maharashtra, the initiative will spark fresh interest in the old tradition of building small forts. The foundations want the new generation to see heritage not merely as something inherited from the past, but as a responsibility to be carried forward.

The world record attempt for building small forts will be held on Sunday, November 1, at Saras Baug, Pune, from 4 pm to 6 pm. Participants have been asked to complete the required registration in advance and arrive by 2:30 pm, so that there is time for reporting and arrangements.

The event is titled Killotsav 2026 - Our Heritage, Our Pride! The organisers are the Artwala Foundation and the Aarambh Foundation, and civic participation is from the Pune Municipal Corporation. For registration and contact, the numbers are 9167877224 and 9881008419. The website is www.artwala.org. Those interested can speak to the organisers for registration and more information.

If the record is set and officially recognised, Killotsav could gain wider recognition. But the organisers' larger wish is that, through participation, creativity and learning together, the heritage of Maharashtra's forts reaches children and families more closely.

The message of Killotsav 2026 is simple: preserving heritage begins with understanding it, taking pride in it and making sure the next generation also gets a chance to experience it. For Puneites, it is a chance to join this effort, one small fort at a time.