As Gurdwaras across New York and Sikh umbrella bodies across the United States resolve to celebrate Guru Gobind Singh Gurpurab on 5 January, the movement for implementation of the correct and original Nanakshahi Calendar is catching up and the day may not be far when SPGC and others will have to accept the fait accompli.

If Westlands in US leads the movement, New York cannot be far behind. Many Gurdwaras in the region which has the highest density of Sikh population in the US, have resolved to celebrate Guru Gobind Singh Gurpurab on 5 January and some have also resolved to follow the Mool Nanakshahi calendar in future for all Gurpurabs and Sikh festivals.

With Sikh umbrella bodies like American Gurdwara Parbandhak committee and Sikh Youth of America also resolving to follow the 5 January decision, this would affect many of their constituent bodies and associates, making the number much larger. It is also likely that following this many more Gurdwaras would join in.

The Baba Makhan Shah Lobana Sikh Center from  New York, Gurdwara Mata Sahib Kaur Glen cove (Sikh Forum NY),  Guru Gobind Singh Sikh Center Plainview are part of the decision.

“As the time nears, requests and appeals to the Jathedar Akal Takht are increasing by the day to reconsider the decision about the date for celebration of Gurpurab of Guru Gobind Singh”

From New Jersey, we have Sri Guru Singh Sabha Glen Rock NJ, Garden State Sikh Association Bridgewater NJ, Sikh Sabha Lawrenceville NJ and Pine Hill Sikh Gurdwara NJ.

From Connecticut, the Guru Tegh Bahadur Foundation has agreed to celebrate the Gurpurab on 5 January and so have Philadelphia Sikh Society, Blue Mountain Gurdwara and Guru Nanak Sikh Society Lehigh Valley (Nazareth) from Pennsylvania, with Guru Gobind Singh Foundation Maryland also joining in.

“With Sikh umbrella bodies like American Gurdwara Parbandhak committee and Sikh Youth of America also resolving to follow the 5 January decision, the movement is catching up.”

As the time nears, requests and appeals to the Jathedar Akal Takht are increasing by the day to reconsider the decision about the date for celebration of Gurpurab of Guru Gobind Singh. While the Jathedars have asked the community to celebrate the Dasam Pita Parkash Purab on 25 December as per the amended Nanakshahi calendar, the number of Gurdwaras, institutions across the globe resolving to celebrate the Gurpurab on 5 January as per Mool (original) Nanakshahi Calendar certainly puts pressure on those who are still wanting to drag the community into the fold of the Brahmanical Bikrami calendar.

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