Gujarati New Year 2026, known as Bestu Varas or Nutan Varsh, falls on Tuesday, 10 November 2026. It begins Vikram Samvat 2083 on Kartik Shukla Pratipada, the day after the Diwali Amavasya. Across Gujarat and in Gujarati homes around the world, families wake early, wear new clothes, visit temples, touch the feet of elders and greet everyone with "Saal Mubarak" and "Nutan Varshabhinandan".
2026 has one unusual detail: Diwali Lakshmi Puja is on Sunday, 8 November, but the New Year is on Tuesday, 10 November, because the Amavasya continues through Monday, 9 November. So there is a quiet gap day between Diwali and Bestu Varas this year. Many shops and offices in Gujarat stay closed from Diwali until Labh Pancham.
Quick answers:
- Date: Tuesday, 10 November 2026 (Kartik Shukla Pratipada; in New Delhi the tithi lasts until about 2:00 PM).
- New year: Vikram Samvat 2083 (November 2026 to October 2027).
- Same day: Govardhan Puja and Annakut in North India, and Diwali Padwa (Bali Pratipada) in Maharashtra.
- Greeting: "Saal Mubarak" or "Nutan Varshabhinandan".
- What to wear: a new outfit, traditionally a Bandhani, Patola or Gharchola saree, or a bright chaniya choli for younger girls.
What Bestu Varas means and how the new year is counted
Bestu Varas literally means "the year that sits down" or "the year that begins". Gujarat follows the Vikram Samvat calendar in its Kartiki form, where the year starts the day after Diwali, unlike many North Indian states where Vikram Samvat begins in the spring month of Chaitra.
For Gujarati traders this timing is practical as well as spiritual. The old year's accounts close on Diwali with Chopda Pujan (worship of the account books), and new books, written in red with a swastik and "Shubh Labh", open in the new year. Many businesses then restart work formally on Labh Pancham.
| Date (2026) | Day | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Sun, 8 Nov | Diwali | Lakshmi Puja and Chopda Pujan; the old year's books close |
| Mon, 9 Nov | Gap day | Amavasya continues; a quiet day at home |
| Tue, 10 Nov | Bestu Varas | New year: temple visits, Annakut, greetings, new clothes |
| Wed, 11 Nov | Bhai Beej | Sisters honour their brothers |
| Sat, 14 Nov | Labh Pancham | Businesses reopen with puja |
Bestu Varas customs: how Gujarati families celebrate
Early start and new clothes
The day starts before sunrise. Homes are cleaned, a fresh rangoli is drawn at the entrance and everyone bathes and wears new clothes. Wearing something new is the most common custom of all, which is why the New Year is one of the biggest outfit days in Gujarat.
Sabras: buying salt at dawn
In many Gujarati towns, vendors walk the streets early in the morning calling "Sabras!" (all the good flavours). Families buy a little salt from them as the first purchase of the year, a wish for a year full of every good thing.
Temple darshan and Annakut
Families visit temples such as Swaminarayan mandirs and Krishna havelis, where Annakut is offered: a "mountain of food" with dozens or even hundreds of dishes arranged before the deity, linked with Krishna lifting the Govardhan hill. After darshan, the prasad is shared with devotees.
Visiting elders and relatives
Younger family members touch the feet of elders and receive blessings and often money in an envelope. Friends and neighbours visit each other through the day, so houses keep trays of mukhwas, sweets and farsan such as mathiya, chorafali and ghughra ready.
Shubh Labh and torans
Fresh torans of marigold and mango leaves are tied at the door, and "Shubh" and "Labh" are written beside the entrance with kumkum, asking for goodness and gain in the new year.
The same day elsewhere: Govardhan Puja and Diwali Padwa
- North India: Govardhan Puja and Annakut. Families make a small Govardhan hill from cow dung or clay, decorate it and offer food, remembering Krishna lifting the Govardhan hill to protect the people of Braj from Indra's rains.
- Maharashtra: Diwali Padwa (Bali Pratipada). It honours King Bali and the bond between husband and wife: wives perform an aarti for their husbands, who give a gift in return. Businesses also start new account books, much like Gujarat.
- Rajasthan and Marwari communities: also mark Ramashyama or Govardhan Puja and visit elders.
Saal Mubarak wishes in Gujarati and English
Copy these to send on WhatsApp or write in cards:
- સાલ મુબારક! નવું વર્ષ આપના જીવનમાં સુખ, શાંતિ અને સમૃદ્ધિ લાવે.
Saal Mubarak! May the new year bring happiness, peace and prosperity to your life. - નૂતન વર્ષાભિનંદન! વિક્રમ સંવત 2083 આપના માટે મંગલમય રહે.
Happy New Year! May Vikram Samvat 2083 be auspicious for you. - નવા વર્ષમાં આપનો વેપાર વધે અને ઘર ખુશીઓથી ભરાય. સાલ મુબારક!
May your business grow and your home be filled with joy this year. Saal Mubarak! - દિવાળીના દીવા જેવો પ્રકાશ આખું વર્ષ આપના જીવનમાં રહે.
May the light of Diwali's lamps stay in your life all year. - વડીલોના આશીર્વાદ અને ભગવાનની કૃપા સદાય આપના પર રહે. નૂતન વર્ષાભિનંદન!
May the blessings of elders and the grace of God always be with you. Happy New Year! - સબરસ જેવું મીઠું અને સંપૂર્ણ વર્ષ આપને મળે. સાલ મુબારક!
May you have a year as complete and sweet as Sabras. Saal Mubarak!
What to wear on Gujarati New Year: women, girls and family
Bestu Varas is a day of visits and photographs, so outfits lean traditional and colourful. Red, maroon, green, yellow and royal blue are the favourites.
| Who | Outfit | Why it suits the day |
|---|---|---|
| Married women | A Bandhani or Gharchola saree in red and green, or a Patola saree | Gujarat's own heritage weaves, auspicious colours for the new year |
| Newly married women (first Bestu Varas) | A Panetar or a heavier Gharchola with gold jewellery | Many families treat the first New Year after marriage as a special occasion |
| Young women | A silk saree in seedha pallu style, or a light lehenga with mirror work | Festive but easy for a full day of visits |
| Teenage girls | A Bandhani chaniya choli or an anarkali | Bright, comfortable and photo-friendly |
| Little girls | A cotton chaniya choli or a silk frock | Soft for children who will be hugged and carried all day |
Our guides on West Indian textiles explain the difference between Bandhani, Patola and Gharchola, and our types of sarees guide covers regional drapes. Prefer the seedha pallu drape for a classic Gujarati look.
Jewellery and finishing touches
Gold jewellery, a bindi, bangles and mehendi complete the New Year look. If you bought something new on Dhanteras, the New Year is the perfect day to wear it for the first time.
A simple plan for the day
- Before sunrise: bath, new clothes, rangoli and torans.
- Early morning: buy Sabras, do a short puja at home.
- Morning: temple darshan and Annakut.
- Late morning to evening: visit elders and relatives; keep sweets and farsan ready for guests.
- Evening: a relaxed family dinner and planning Bhai Beej for the next day.
What is on the plate: Gujarati New Year food
Every Gujarati home keeps two trays ready for guests on Bestu Varas: one sweet, one savoury. The usual favourites are:
- Sweets: mohanthal, ghughra (sweet dumplings filled with suji, coconut and dry fruit), sutarfeni, kaju katli and ladoo.
- Farsan: mathiya, chorafali, chakri, sev and chevdo, made at home in the week before Diwali.
- Mukhwas: a plate of fennel, sesame and betel mixes offered as guests leave.
- Lunch: many families cook a full Gujarati thali with dal, bhaat, shaak, rotli and a sweet such as shrikhand or basundi.
At temples, the Annakut offering can include dozens of these dishes, arranged in tiers before the deity and later shared as prasad.
Bestu Varas do's and don'ts
| Do | Avoid |
|---|---|
| Wake early, bathe and wear something new | Starting the year with an argument or harsh words |
| Touch the feet of elders and take their blessings | Lending or borrowing money on the first day |
| Buy Sabras (salt) as the first purchase | Leaving the entrance dark or untidy |
| Visit a temple for darshan and Annakut | Wearing black or very dull colours |
| Keep sweets and farsan ready for visitors | Skipping a call to relatives you cannot visit |
As with all festival customs, practices vary between families and communities.
Gift ideas for Bestu Varas
New Year visits usually come with a small gift. Ideas that suit every budget:
- For elders: a soft shawl, a cotton or silk saree, or a dry-fruit box.
- For business associates: a new chopda (account book), a silver coin, or a box of sweets with a handwritten Saal Mubarak note.
- For children: money in an envelope (a family favourite), books, or a small festive outfit.
- For newly married couples: a Bandhani or Patola dupatta, or a pair of silver diyas.
Handloom gifts such as a Bandhani dupatta or a Patola stole also support Gujarat's weaving and tie-dye artisans.
Bestu Varas for Gujaratis abroad
Gujarati communities in the US, UK, Canada, East Africa and Australia celebrate at Swaminarayan and community temples, often on the nearest weekend, with Annakut darshan and cultural programmes. The date can differ by a day outside India, so check a panchang for your city. If you are buying Indian outfits from abroad, our guide to buying Indian clothes from abroad helps with sizing and shipping times.
Diwali season 2026 calendar
| Fri, 6 Nov | Dhanteras |
| Sat, 7 Nov (night) | Kali Chaudas / Narak Chaturdashi |
| Sun, 8 Nov | Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) |
| Tue, 10 Nov | Gujarati New Year (Bestu Varas) (you are here) |
| Wed, 11 Nov | Bhai Dooj / Bhai Beej |
| Sat, 14 Nov | Labh Pancham |
| Fri 13 – Mon 16 Nov | Chhath Puja |
| Fri, 20 Nov | Dev Uthi Agiyaras / Tulsi Vivah |
| Tue, 24 Nov | Dev Diwali (Kartik Purnima) |
Dates are for India; check your local panchang, as some festivals shift by a day in other cities and abroad.
Frequently asked questions
When is Gujarati New Year in 2026?
Gujarati New Year (Bestu Varas) is on Tuesday, 10 November 2026, the Kartik Shukla Pratipada after Diwali.
Which Vikram Samvat year begins in 2026?
Vikram Samvat 2083 begins on Bestu Varas, 10 November 2026, and runs until the next Diwali in 2027.
Why is there a gap between Diwali and the Gujarati New Year in 2026?
Diwali Lakshmi Puja is on Sunday, 8 November, but the Amavasya continues through Monday, 9 November. The Pratipada, which starts the new year, begins on Tuesday, 10 November.
What is the meaning of Bestu Varas?
Bestu Varas means the beginning of the year. It marks the first day of the new Vikram Samvat year in Gujarat.
How do you wish someone on the Gujarati New Year?
The common greetings are "Saal Mubarak" and "Nutan Varshabhinandan". You can also add a wish for happiness, prosperity and good health in the new year.
What is Sabras on Bestu Varas?
Sabras is salt sold by vendors early on New Year's morning. Buying a little salt as the first purchase of the year is a Gujarati custom wishing for a year full of every good thing.
What is Annakut?
Annakut, or a mountain of food, is a large offering of many dishes made to the deity on the New Year and Govardhan Puja, especially in Swaminarayan and Krishna temples.
What should I wear on Gujarati New Year?
Wear something new. Traditional choices are Bandhani, Patola or Gharchola sarees for women, a chaniya choli or anarkali for girls, and bright colours like red, green, yellow and royal blue.
Is Govardhan Puja on the same day as Gujarati New Year?
Yes. In 2026 both fall on Tuesday, 10 November. Maharashtra celebrates Diwali Padwa (Bali Pratipada) on the same day.
When do Gujarati businesses reopen after Diwali?
Many businesses reopen on Labh Pancham, which falls on Saturday, 14 November 2026, after a puja for prosperity.
Is the Gujarati New Year date the same abroad?
Usually, but it can differ by a day depending on local sunrise and tithi timing. Check a panchang set to your city.