Gujarati New Year Begins as Vikram Samvat 2083

Gujarati communities in Gujarat and worldwide celebrated their New Year, known as Bestu Varas or Gujarati Nav Varsh, on Tuesday, 10 November 2026. It falls on Kartik Shukla Pratipada, also called Kartak Sud Ekam, after Diwali, observed on 8 November.

New Year observances

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel began the day with prayers at Panchdev Temple in Gandhinagar at 7:00 am and Trimandir in Adalaj at 7:30 am. He greeted Governor Acharya Devvrat at Raj Bhavan at 8:50 am and visited Bhadrakali Mata Temple in Ahmedabad at 10:00 am. Across Gujarat, people visited temples, gathered with family and exchanged greetings including “Saal Mubarak” and “Nutan Varshabhinandan”.

Business communities performed Chopda Pujan, the ritual opening of new account books, traditionally held on the New Year or sometimes on Diwali night. Other regions observed Diwali Padwa and Bali Pratipada, associated with King Mahabali.

Vikram Samvat calendar

The broader lunisolar Vikram Samvat year is separately described as beginning on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada in March 2026, with the date given inconsistently as 19 or 20 March. An Adhika Jyeshtha, or extra lunar month, ran from 17 May to 15 June, making it a 13-month lunar year.

Important Facts for Exams

• Diwali timing: Bestu Varas is observed after Diwali, whereas many other Hindu communities mark the New Year in early spring.
• Kartika date: Bestu Varas falls on the first day of Kartika’s bright fortnight, known as Shukla Paksha.
• Agricultural and accounting year: Bestu Varas marks the agricultural year’s beginning; farmers traditionally open their new accounting books on the day.
• Intercalary month: Vikram Samvat adds an extra lunar month roughly seven times in nineteen years, helping keep festivals and crop-related rituals in season.