Pune’s Abhinava Vidyalaya opens Dr Nanasaheb Upasani Planetarium.
First in India with Digistar 2025 projection system.
Will promote STEM learning for students and public.
Pune, 12 August 2025: Pune has added a new attraction to its educational and cultural map with the inauguration of the Dr Nanasaheb Upasani Planetarium at the Abhinava Vidyalaya English Medium Primary School. Set up by Adarsh Shikshan Mandali (ASM), the facility is the first in India to feature the advanced Digistar 2025 projection system from US-based Evans and Sutherland.
The project was funded by the Vidyalakshmi Foundation, a trust run by the family of ASM’s first president and noted educationist Nanasaheb Upasani.
The planetarium was inaugurated on April 30 in the presence of Nehru Planetarium (Mumbai) director Arvind Paranjape, former ISRO group director Suresh Naik, and other dignitaries from the academic and scientific community. ASM representatives said the initiative reflects Upasani’s vision of making education more engaging and accessible.
ASM member Avinash Pradhan said the planetarium is designed to be more than an entertainment venue, offering interactive learning in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. While the primary focus will be on students of Abhinava Vidyalaya, it will soon be opened to other schools and the public, with online ticket booking planned.
The 50-seat dome offers a 360-degree immersive experience with high-resolution visuals and real-time simulations of astronomical events. Installed by Infovision Technologies, it integrates content from space agencies such as ISRO, NASA, and the European Space Agency. The facility also supports live dome-casting and allows educators to create custom shows.
Infovision director Abhijeet Shetye said the aim is to make the planetarium, named “Tarangan,” an integral part of Pune’s cultural circuit and a source of inspiration for young minds.