When is Gujarati New Year in 2026?

Gujarati New Year (Bestu Varas) in 2026 falls on November 9, 2026 — the day after Diwali. It marks the beginning of Kartik Shukla Pratipada and the start of Vikram Samvat 2083.

Why is Gujarati New Year different from other Indian New Years?

Gujarat follows the Amanta tradition where the lunar month ends on Amavasya (new moon / Diwali night). The new year begins the next day — Kartik Shukla Pratipada (Bestu Varas). North India follows Purnimanta tradition where Chaitra Shukla Pratipada (March/April) is the new year.

GUJARATI NEW YEAR

Bestu Varas — Gujarati New Year

Celebrated the day after Diwali (Amavasya). Kartik Shukla Pratipada — the start of the Gujarati lunar year.

Nov 9, 2026 V.S. 2083

BESTU VARAS 2026

November 9, 2026

Monday · Kartik Shukla Pratipada · Vikram Samvat 2083 begins

WHAT IS BESTU VARAS?

The Beginning of the Gujarati Year

Bestu Varas is the Gujarati New Year — celebrated the day after Diwali (Amavasya). "Bestu" = to sit/begin, "Varas" = year. It falls on Kartik Shukla Pratipada (first day of the Kartik lunar month).

Gujarat follows the Amanta tradition — the lunar month ends on Amavasya (Diwali night), and the new year starts the next morning.

AMANTA vs PURNIMANTA

Why Different from North Indian New Year?

India has two lunar calendar traditions:

Gujarat Amanta

Month ends: Amavasya (New Moon)
New Year: After Diwali (Oct/Nov)
Region: Gujarat, Maharashtra, South India

North India Purnimanta

Month ends: Purnima (Full Moon)
New Year: Chaitra Shukla Pratipada (Mar/Apr)
Region: North India, Rajasthan, UP, MP

TRADITIONS

Traditions & Rituals

Chopda Puja

Worship of Lakshmi-Ganesh on new account books with a swastik symbol

New Accounts Begin

Business financial year starts on this day

Annakut (Chhappan Bhog)

56 dishes offered to God at temples

Govardhan Puja

Commemorating Lord Krishna lifting Govardhan mountain

New Clothes, Sweets

Greetings and gifts shared with family and friends

Vikram Samvat 2082 → 2083

On Bestu Varas 2026, Vikram Samvat 2082 ends and 2083 begins. Vikram Samvat is 57 years ahead of the Gregorian calendar (2026 + 57 = 2083). It is the oldest calendar system still in use in India.