Gujarati New Year (Bestu Varas) 1987

The Gujarati calendar year begins on Kartak Sud Ekam, the first day of the bright half of Kartik. This day is called Bestu Varas. People seek their elders’ blessings and wish one another “Saal Mubarak”.

In the Gujarati calendar, the old year ends on the new moon of Aso, the new moon celebrated as Diwali. Kartak Sud Ekam follows, and the new Vikram Samvat year begins. That is why the day is called Bestu Varas, the beginning of the year. Gujarati families welcome the new year on this day.

At Diwali, many trading families worship their new account books in the ceremony called Chopda Pujan. On New Year’s Day, people visit their elders, take their blessings and exchange greetings with relatives and neighbours. The wish behind “Saal Mubarak” is that the other person’s new year should be happy and peaceful.

Bestu Varas begins the new year of the Gujarati Vikram Samvat calendar. It is an occasion to meet family, seek elders’ blessings and start the year with good intentions.

Many people make rangoli at their doorway, wear new or clean clothes and visit a temple. Relatives visit one another and share sweets. Some temples offer an Annakut of many dishes to the deity and distribute prasad. Worship follows the family’s or temple’s own customs.

Bestu Varas is celebrated in Gujarat and by Gujarati families living elsewhere. Many Gujarati Hindu families visit temples and worship. Jain families also welcome their new year according to their own traditions after remembering Mahavira’s nirvana at Diwali. Other regions of India follow their local calendars for the date of New Year.