Swami Vivekananda said:
“Is there a greater hero, a greater saint, a greater bhakta and a greater King than Shivaji? Shivaji was the very embodiment of a born ruler of men as typified in our great epics. He was the type of the real son of India representing the true consciousness of the nation. It was he who showed what the future of India is going to be sooner or later”. 

Dallas Forth Worth, TX: Shivaji Maharaj Antar-Rashtriya Parivaar (SMAP) celebrated Shiv Jayanti festival with a Tribute to our national heroes on Saturday, March 4th, 2023.
Tribute was paid to heroes with Deep Prajwalan, Mantra-Shankh-Naad, followed by Lazim, Powada, Ganesh and Saraswathi Vandana. 
Keynote speaker Dr. Prakasa Rao Founder of Global Hindu Heritage Foundation presented relationship of Samarth Ramdas and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. He mentioned that Shivaji and Samarth Ramdas birth was predicted about three hundred years before (around 1370) by Sri Pada Vallabha, the first Avatara of Lord Dattatreya. 
    Samarth Ramdas described Shivaji Maharaj as “The pinnacle of determination, protector of people, resolute in intent, wealthy yet detached from his opulence......There is no other on this earth, who has protected any people; It is because of you that the culture of Maharashtra survived.”
    Importance of Shivaji cannot be underestimated , not just for India but for the world. Kavi Bhushan was a contemporary . This is what he said about Shivaji; (Shivaji na hote subkehote Sunnah.) If Shivaji was not there, everyone would have been circumcised.
Shivaji had a foresight and developed a Naval force in view of new arrivals from Europe. Maratha Navy of Shivaji defeated British navy at the coast of Mumbai.
Program highlights 
Killa Making competition for kids with team presentation on the significance of Killa they made, history behind it, & values they learn from this process. Bal Shivaji skit presented by 25+ kids presenting building character of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
Unity was presented by involvement from many communities by presenting beautiful performances on stage e.g., Odisha, Maharashtra, Tamil, Telugu, HSA, SEVA. Everything felt inspired by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Our exhibition of our national Heroes [ Maharana Pratap, Raja Ranjeet Singh, Krishna Dev Raya, Guru Govind Singh, Shivaji Maharaj, Jhansi Ki Raani] and their fearless warriorship that Saved our  Hindu scientific culture was very informational and learning point for all ages. 
Palakhi (Palanquin) procession with Dhol-Tasha and silambam ( mardani khel) which took everyone back to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj era.
Guests: Dr Prakasa V Rao, Shashi Kejriwal, Sandeep Sharma Mayor-temp of Flower Mound, Vimal Kansara and Harish Nahate All were welcomed with Pheta (Turban)  and Shawls.
Event Organizers: SMAP Chapter founder Vijay Gayee, SMAP President Chhaya Gayee, SMAP Founder Vijay Patil (LA), Manish Kapoor, Karishma Himatsinghani, Avadhut Gurjar, Prayag Wadje, Ajikya Mahajan, Abhijit Londhe, & Vishal Korade.
Supporting Organizers: DFW Hindu Temple, Karya Siddhi Hanuman Temple, Global Hindu Heritage Foundation, HSS & SEWA International
Our Media Partner: Radio Karishma -  Karishma Himatsinghani &  IAsia News – Krishna Puttaparthi.