Om Gan Ganapataye Namah. Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah.

As the sacred flames of Diwali illuminate hearts worldwide, let us offer our deepest prayers to Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, and Goddess Lakshmi, the divine mother of prosperity and grace. In this moment of bhakti, may we welcome Vikram Samvat 2083 with pure devotion, seeking divine blessings for abundance, peace, and spiritual fulfillment. For Gujarati NRIs across the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, and beyond, Bestu Varas 2026 is a cherished reminder that true wealth flows from unwavering faith in the Divine, uniting families and communities in prayer and joy—no matter the distance from Gujarat.

Bestu Varas, also called Padwa or Varsha Pratipada, is the devotional Gujarati New Year celebrated the day after Diwali. It marks the start of the new fiscal and business year per the ancient Vikram Samvat calendar, a time for renewal, gratitude, and invoking divine favor for success in all endeavors.

For our global Gujarati diaspora, this festival transcends borders—bringing temples, community halls, and homes alive with mantras, sweets, and heartfelt celebrations.

Bestu Varas 2026 Date and Muhurat for NRIs

Gujarati New Year 2026 (Bestu Varas) falls on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, aligning with Kartik Shukla Pratipada and the beginning of Vikram Samvat 2083. Diwali (main Lakshmi Puja day) is on Sunday, November 8, 2026, making Bestu Varas the immediate following auspicious day.

The Panchang indicates Pratipada Tithi begins around afternoon on November 9 (IST) and extends into November 10. While the core date remains consistent globally, auspicious Muhurat timings shift by time zone—NRIs should consult local Panchang apps, temple calendars, or astrologers for precise Choghadiya/Shubh Muhurat suited to their location.

  • USA (e.g., Eastern Time): Celebrations often align with evening/night of November 9 or morning of November 10 local time, allowing Chopda Puja during favorable hours.
  • Canada: Similar to USA, with communities in Toronto, Vancouver, etc., organizing events on November 9-10 local.
  • UK (e.g., London): Typically observed on November 10 morning/afternoon GMT/BST equivalent.
  • Australia (e.g., Sydney/Melbourne): Due to ahead time zones, it may begin earlier on November 10 local time, with many joining virtual pujas or community gatherings.

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Always prioritize location-specific Muhurat to honor divine timing, ensuring rituals invite maximum blessings from Goddess Lakshmi.

Spiritual Importance of Gujarati New Year for Global Gujaratis

Bestu Varas carries eternal spiritual essence as the dawn of Vikram Samvat 2083, symbolizing victory of light, dharma, and devotion. Inspired by King Vikramaditya's legacy, it reminds us that prosperity arises from ethical living and surrender to the Divine.

For NRIs in the USA, Canada, UK, and Australia, this day fosters cultural continuity—amid busy professional lives, families reconnect through prayers, new clothes, and sharing prasad. Homes are cleansed, businesses (even remote ones) blessed via Chopda Puja, and communities gather at temples or online for collective aarti. Avoiding inauspicious ventures per Panchang reinforces trust in divine will, while sweets like Shrikhand-Puran Poli evoke the sweetness of bhakti across continents.

This Gujarati New Year inspires gratitude for divine protection, family bonds, and opportunities—may it bring spiritual richness and material harmony to every NRI household.

How to Perform Chopda Puja & Rituals – NRI-Friendly Guide

Chopda Puja, the sacred worship of account books/ledgers, is central to Bestu Varas, invoking Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha for financial wisdom and abundance. NRIs can perform it devotionally at home or virtually.

Step-by-Step Devotional Chopda Puja Guide:

  1. Cleanse & Prepare: Purify your space (home/office) to remove negativity. Wear new clothes as a symbol of renewal.
  2. Set Up Altar: Use a red cloth; place idols/photos of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi. Include new chopda (or digital ledger printout), kumkum, turmeric, rice, flowers, fruits, sweets, coins, diya, and incense.
  3. Auspicious Symbols: Draw Swastika, Om, or "Shubh Labh" on ledgers with kumkum.
  4. Invoke with Mantras: Light diya/incense. Chant "Om Gan Ganapataye Namah" and "Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah" fervently.
  5. Offerings & Prayer: Apply tilak to chopda, make first entry ("Sava" for growth), offer items, and pray for ethical success and divine guidance.
  6. Aarti & Prasad: Perform aarti with love; share prasad with family (or via video calls with relatives).
  7. Close in Gratitude: Maintain positivity; end with thanks for blessings.

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Join community events at local Gujarati associations, temples (e.g., BAPS Swaminarayan mandirs worldwide), or online live streams for collective energy. Exchange Gujarati New Year wishes via calls/messages to strengthen bonds.

Bestu Varas Recipes & Devotional Practices for NRIs

Deepen devotion with simple practices and recipes that bring home the essence of Gujarat.

Begin with morning prayers/bhajans to Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi. Read scriptures or join virtual satsangs for inner peace.

Prepare Shrikhand—a creamy, sattvic dessert offered as prasad.

Simple Devotional Shrikhand Recipe (Serves 4-6):

  • Ingredients: 4 cups yogurt (hung to thick curd), ¾–1 cup powdered sugar, ½ tsp cardamom powder, pinch of saffron in 2 tbsp warm milk, chopped nuts.
  • Method:
    1. Hang yogurt in muslin cloth 4–6 hours/overnight to drain whey.
    2. Whisk hung curd smooth; fold in sugar.
    3. Add cardamom and saffron milk.
    4. Chill, garnish with nuts, and offer during puja.

Enjoy with Puran Poli or other favorites—share virtually with loved ones in India.

As Vikram Samvat 2083 begins, may Lord Ganesha remove all obstacles and Goddess Lakshmi bless you with unending prosperity, health, and joy through sincere bhakti.

Heartfelt Gujarati New Year wishes to all NRIs: Nutan Varshabhinandan! Bestu Varas 2026 ni haardik shubhechha! Saal Mubarak!

Discover more devotional insights, festival guides, and community stories at www.hindutone.com. Connect with fellow Gujaratis worldwide, find NRI events, cultural updates, and spiritual resources at www.nriglobe.com—your global hub for celebrating Sanatan Dharma abroad.

Hari Om. May divine grace guide your year ahead!

Share the Diwali 2026 blessing

As the Diwali lamps give way to the dawn of Bestu Varas, Gujarati families everywhere open new chopdas and new chapters with prayer. May the diya you light for the new year be a symbol of the inner light that guides every step. May Maa Lakshmi's grace bless your household, and may the victory of light over darkness, as commonly told, fill this Diwali 2026 season with hope. Share a Saal Mubarak blessing with your family near and far.

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Deepa shloka: the lamp prayer

शुभं करोति कल्याणम् आरोग्यं धनसम्पदा। शत्रुबुद्धिविनाशाय दीपज्योतिर्नमोऽस्तु ते॥

Shubham karoti kalyanam arogyam dhana-sampada, shatru-buddhi-vinashaya deepa-jyotir namostu te.

Meaning: I bow to the light of the lamp, which brings what is auspicious and good, health and prosperity, and destroys ill-will. Many families recite it as they light the evening diya.

Lakshmi mantra for Diwali

ॐ श्रीं महालक्ष्म्यै नमः॥

Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah.

Meaning: Salutations to Mahalakshmi. Shreem is the seed syllable traditionally associated with Lakshmi.

Diwali 2026 messages to share

🪔 Saal Mubarak to our whole family! May this Gujarati New Year bring health, harmony and sweetness to every home, from Gujarat to every corner of the world. ✨ Share on WhatsApp

🙏 Pranam to my dear parents and elders on Bestu Varas. Your blessings are my true wealth. May the new year keep you healthy, peaceful and smiling. Nutan Varshabhinandan! 🪔 Share on WhatsApp

✨ Happy Bestu Varas, dear friend! May the new year bring new joys, warm gatherings and a heart as sweet as shrikhand. Saal Mubarak! 🪔🌸 Share on WhatsApp

🪔 As we open new chopdas this Gujarati New Year, may your business grow with honesty, trust and wisdom. Warm Saal Mubarak wishes to you and your team. ✨ Share on WhatsApp

🌸 May Maa Lakshmi bless the first entry in every new chopda with grace, ethical prosperity and gratitude. Jai Maa Lakshmi, Saal Mubarak! 🙏🪔 Share on WhatsApp

🙏 May Lord Ganesha, remover of obstacles, bless the beginning of this new year. May every new venture start with Shubh and end with Labh. Saal Mubarak! 🪔✨ Share on WhatsApp

A short Diwali prayer

Lord Ganesha and Maa Lakshmi, at the start of this new year I bow before you with a grateful heart. Lord Ganesha, remove the obstacles in my path and give me a clear mind. Maa Lakshmi, bless my family with good health and harmony, and guide my work so that it stays honest and fair. Help me make right effort every day, share with those in need, and begin each new page with gratitude.

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Use the share buttons on this page to send these blessings to your family and friends.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Bestu Varas 2026?

Bestu Varas falls on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, aligning with Kartik Shukla Pratipada and the start of Vikram Samvat 2083. Diwali's main Lakshmi Puja day is Sunday, November 8, 2026.

What is Bestu Varas and what else is it called?

Bestu Varas, also called Padwa or Varsha Pratipada, is the Gujarati New Year celebrated the day after Diwali. It marks the start of the new fiscal and business year in the Vikram Samvat calendar.

What is Chopda Puja and how is it done?

Chopda Puja is the worship of account books or ledgers, invoking Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha. Set up a red-cloth altar, draw a Swastika or 'Shubh Labh' with kumkum on the ledger, chant the mantras, make the first entry and end with aarti and prasad.

How should NRIs in the USA, Canada, UK and Australia find the right muhurat?

The date stays the same globally, but muhurat timings shift by time zone. Consult a local Panchang app, temple calendar or astrologer for Choghadiya and Shubh Muhurat in your location.

Can Chopda Puja be performed at home abroad?

Yes. NRIs can perform it at home with a new chopda or a digital ledger printout, and join community events, BAPS Swaminarayan mandirs or online live streams. Prasad can be shared with relatives over video calls.

Which mantras and sweet are used on Bestu Varas?

The mantras are 'Om Gan Ganapataye Namah' and 'Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah'. Shrikhand, a sattvic dessert, is offered as prasad, often with Puran Poli.