When is Gujarati New Year (Bestu Varas) in 2026?

Gujarati New Year, called Bestu Varas or Nutan Varsh, falls on Tuesday, November 10, 2026 in 2026. It is observed on Kartik Shukla Pratipada, right after Diwali. People visit the temple in the morning, touch the feet of elders and greet everyone with Saal Mubarak. Check the Choghadiya page for good morning timings.

Which Vikram Samvat begins on Bestu Varas?

On Bestu Varas the new Gujarati Vikram Samvat year begins. The Samvat is linked to King Vikramaditya of Ujjain, and in Gujarat the year starts after Diwali on Kartik Shukla Pratipada. In most of North India the Vikram Samvat year changes later, on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada, so the two numbers differ for part of the year.

What does Saal Mubarak mean?

Saal Mubarak means Happy New Year. Gujaratis say it, along with Nutan Varshabhinandan, to relatives, friends and neighbours on the morning of Bestu Varas. The greeting is usually given with a visit, a touch of elders' feet for blessings and a sweet mouth, such as mithai, mathiya or chorafali.

What is the Sabras custom on Bestu Varas?

Sabras means salt. In many Gujarati homes, early on New Year morning people bring home or exchange a little salt, believing it brings barkat (abundance) to the house for the whole year. The custom varies by family and region, so some households follow it and others simply exchange sweets and greetings.

Is Gujarati New Year the same as Gudi Padwa or Ugadi?

No. Gudi Padwa and Ugadi fall on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada in spring, which is the Chaitra new year followed in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Gujarati New Year comes in autumn, right after Diwali, on Kartik Shukla Pratipada. They are separate festivals on different dates, so Gujaratis celebrate Bestu Varas in Kartik.

Why do traders start new account books on Gujarati New Year?

For Gujarati business families, the year begins here, so the new financial year starts with fresh books. Traders do Chopda Pujan on Diwali night, write Shubh Labh and Shri on new ledgers, and treat Bestu Varas as the start of new accounts. Many reopen their shops on Labh Pancham.

Gujarati New Year 2026: Bestu Varas Date & Vikram Samvat

Gujarati New Year (Bestu Varas) 2026: date and quick answer

Gujarati New Year, called Bestu Varas, Nutan Varsh or Nutan Varsha, falls on Tuesday, November 10, 2026. It is observed on Kartik Shukla Pratipada, right after Diwali, and the new Gujarati Vikram Samvat year begins on this day. People visit the temple in the morning, touch the feet of elders and greet everyone with Saal Mubarak. The date follows the tithi at sunrise in your city, so for good morning timings look at the Choghadiya page.

The same morning is also Govardhan Puja (Annakut), which is why many Gujarati families begin the new year at the temple.

Kartik Shukla Pratipada and the Gujarati Vikram Samvat

A Hindu month has two fortnights, and Shukla Paksha is the bright fortnight after the new moon. Pratipada is its first tithi. In Gujarat the month is counted in the Kartik-first (Kartikadi) way, so the year changes on Kartik Shukla Pratipada, the day after the Diwali new moon. The Vikram Samvat era is traditionally linked to King Vikramaditya of Ujjain.

In most of North India the Vikram Samvat number changes later, on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada in spring, which is also when Gudi Padwa and Ugadi are celebrated. So between Kartik and Chaitra, a Gujarati calendar and a North Indian calendar show a Vikram Samvat year that differs by one. Both are valid, they simply start the year at different points.

The legend behind the day

The day is closely tied to Govardhan. According to the Bhagavat Purana, Lord Krishna lifted Govardhan Hill on his little finger to shelter the people of Vrindavan and their cattle from the storm sent by Indra. This is why Annakut and Govardhan Puja are celebrated on the same morning, and temples in Gujarat fill with offerings.

The Samvat itself is linked in tradition to Vikramaditya, the king of Ujjain, who is remembered for starting the era that bears his name. Different accounts exist about how exactly the era began, so it is best told as tradition rather than recorded history. In Maharashtra the same day is Bali Pratipada, remembering the generous King Bali.

Bestu Varas traditions

Customs differ between families, towns and communities. These are the things most Gujarati homes do.

Morning darshan: Many people wear new clothes and go to the temple early for darshan and Annakut.
Elders' blessings: Younger family members touch the feet of parents and grandparents and take their blessings.
Saal Mubarak: People visit relatives, friends and neighbours and say Saal Mubarak or Nutan Varshabhinandan, and now also send messages to those far away.
Sabras: In many homes it is a custom to bring or exchange a little salt (sabras) early in the morning, believing it brings barkat (abundance) for the year. Some families follow it and others do not.
Sweets and snacks: Guests are welcomed with mithai, mathiya, chorafali and mukhwas.
Rangoli and diyas: The courtyard gets a fresh rangoli, and diyas are lit in the evening.

The new year for business

For Gujarati traders and business families, Bestu Varas is also the start of the financial year. On Diwali night they do Sharda Pujan, also called Chopda Pujan, worshipping the new account books and writing Shubh Labh and Shri on them. Fresh books are used from the new year. Many shops then stay closed for a few days and reopen on Laabh Pancham, which is considered an auspicious day to restart work. Individual families and businesses follow their own muhurat, so check the timing that suits you.

How the new year begins at home

A typical Bestu Varas morning is busy. The house is cleaned a few days before, the rangoli goes up at dawn, and the family dresses up and heads to the temple. After darshan, the day is spent visiting relatives and receiving visitors, and lunch is often a festive meal. In many families the elders give small gifts or blessings to children. If you live away from Gujarat, calling parents and grandparents in the morning is a nice way to follow the same custom.

Think of the day as a fresh start. People settle old arguments, forgive small hurts and set simple intentions for the year, while also praying for the health and happiness of the family.

Where Bestu Varas fits in the festival days

After Diwali comes Govardhan Puja and Bestu Varas on the first day of Kartik, and the brother-sister festival Bhai Dooj follows. Check the individual pages for this year's dates.

Closing thought

Bestu Varas combines devotion, family and a fresh start in one morning. Whether you go to a temple, visit elders or simply greet a neighbour with Saal Mubarak, the day is about beginning the year with gratitude and goodwill. Saal Mubarak to all, and for an auspicious time to start your day, look up the Choghadiya for your city.

Diwali Festival Days: Dhanteras to Labh Pancham

Dhanteras: gold buying, Dhanvantari and Lakshmi-Kuber puja
Kali Chaudas / Narak Chaturdashi: Choti Diwali, Kali puja and abhyang snan
Diwali: Lakshmi Puja on Amavasya night
Sharda Pujan (Chopda Pujan): new account books on Diwali night
Govardhan Puja (Annakut): Kartik Shukla Pratipada
Gujarati New Year (Bestu Varas): same day as Annakut
Bhai Dooj: tilak for brothers on Kartik Shukla Dwitiya
Labh Pancham: shops reopen on Kartik Shukla Panchami

Gujarati New Year (Bestu Varas)