Gujarati New Year. Day after Diwali. Chopda Puja, Annakut.
Bestu Varas, the Gujarati New Year, falls on Kartik Sud Ekam, the bright first day of Kartik, right after Diwali. While much of India counts its new year from Chaitra in spring, Gujarat begins its year on the morning after the Diwali night of Lakshmi Puja. So the new Gujarati Samvat year opens on a note of light, wealth and fresh beginnings. In 2026, Bestu Varas begins Gujarati Samvat 2083.
The day begins early with a temple visit for Annakut darshan, where the Lord is offered a mountain of food. Families wear new clothes, touch the feet of elders for blessings, and greet everyone with "Saal Mubarak" and "Nutan Varshabhinandan". Old grudges are set aside, sweets and farsan are shared, and traders open fresh account books after the Sharda Pujan of Diwali night. It is a warm, social day of visiting friends and family, full of blessings and hope for the year ahead.
Bestu Varas marks the true start of the Gujarati Samvat year. Unlike the Chaitra-based Vikram Samvat followed in North India, the Gujarati year follows the Amanta month system and turns over on Kartik Sud Ekam, the day after Diwali. This is why ShubhPanchang counts the Gujarati Samvat the way Gujarat itself does. On Bestu Varas 2026 the year turns from Gujarati Samvat 2082 to 2083.
On Bestu Varas, Gujaratis greet one another with a warm "Saal Mubarak", meaning "Happy New Year", and "Nutan Varshabhinandan", best wishes for the new year. Younger members touch the feet of elders to receive blessings, neighbours and relatives visit each other through the day, and homes are kept open for guests. It is a day to forgive, to reconnect, and to begin the year with goodwill toward everyone.
Bestu Varas 2026, the Gujarati New Year, is on Monday, 9 November 2026, the day after Diwali (Kartik Sud Ekam).
Bestu Varas is the Gujarati New Year, celebrated on the morning after Diwali. It marks the start of the new Gujarati Samvat year, a day of temple visits, new clothes, greetings and fresh beginnings.
On Bestu Varas 2026 (9 November), the Gujarati Samvat year turns from 2082 to Gujarati Samvat 2083.
"Saal Mubarak" is the Gujarati greeting for "Happy New Year", exchanged warmly on Bestu Varas along with "Nutan Varshabhinandan".
Families visit the temple for Annakut darshan, wear new clothes, touch the feet of elders, greet everyone with Saal Mubarak, share sweets, and traders open new account books for the year ahead.