Gujarati New Year 2026: Vikram Samvat 2083 Begins as Devotees Visit Somnath Temple to Seek Divine Blessings

Gujarati New Year 2026, popularly known as Bestu Varas or Nutan Varsh, is being celebrated across Gujarat on Tuesday, November 10, marking the beginning of Vikram Samvat 2083. From traditional prayers and family gatherings to temple visits and religious ceremonies, the festival welcomes a fresh year filled with hopes for prosperity, happiness and spiritual growth. A large number of devotees are arriving at the sacred Shree Somnath Temple to offer prayers and seek the blessings of Lord Shiva on this auspicious occasion.

Gujarati New Year 2026: Vikram Samvat 2083 Begins

Gujarat is welcoming its traditional New Year with devotion, enthusiasm and festive celebrations. Bestu Varas marks the first day of the Gujarati calendar's new year and is observed on Kartik Shukla Pratipada, also known as Kartak Sud Ekam.

This year, Gujarati New Year falls on November 10, 2026, ushering in Vikram Samvat 2083 (see our Gujarati New Year 2026 date and muhurat guide).

Unlike the Gregorian calendar, which begins on January 1, the Gujarati Hindu calendar traditionally begins with the month of Kartak, immediately following the Diwali period. The festival is particularly significant for Gujarati families, business communities, traders and devotees who consider it an auspicious occasion to begin new activities.

The day is celebrated with temple visits, prayers, traditional food, family gatherings and the exchange of New Year greetings.

Somnath Temple Witnesses Devotees on Gujarati New Year

One of the most spiritually significant destinations in Gujarat, Shree Somnath Temple holds a special place in Hindu religious tradition.

Located in Prabhas Patan near Veraval in Gujarat's Gir Somnath district, the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is revered as the first among the twelve sacred Jyotirlingas.

On the occasion of Gujarati New Year, devotees visit the temple to seek blessings for good health, peace, prosperity and success in the coming year.

The spiritual atmosphere surrounding Somnath makes the occasion especially meaningful. Devotees offer prayers to Lord Shiva, participate in worship and seek divine blessings for their families.

For many Gujarati families, beginning the New Year with a visit to a sacred temple is an important tradition. Somnath, with its deep historical and religious significance, remains an important destination for pilgrims.

What Is Bestu Varas? Understanding Gujarati New Year

Bestu Varas is the traditional Gujarati New Year celebration. The word is associated with the beginning of a fresh year and a new cycle of life, business and religious observances.

Gujarati communities celebrate this festival with the belief that a new year should begin with positive thoughts, gratitude, devotion and good intentions.

The festival is also known as:

• Bestu Varas
• Gujarati Nav Varsh
• Nutan Varsh
• Gujarati New Year
• Vikram Samvat New Year

The traditional greeting exchanged on this day is Saal Mubarak, which conveys wishes for a happy and prosperous New Year.

Another popular greeting is Nutan Varshabhinandan, meaning New Year greetings.

Why Does Gujarat Celebrate New Year After Diwali?

One interesting feature of the Gujarati calendar is that its New Year begins in Kartik rather than Chaitra.

In several other parts of India, Hindu New Year celebrations take place during March or April, around festivals such as Ugadi and Gudi Padwa.

However, Gujarat follows the Kartikadi calendar tradition, in which the new year begins on Kartik Shukla Pratipada.

This is why Gujarati New Year is associated with the Diwali festival season.

In 2026, Diwali was celebrated on November 8, while Gujarati New Year falls on November 10. The difference is connected to the lunar tithi and the sunrise-based festival observance.

The arrival of the new year therefore represents both a spiritual beginning and the continuation of Gujarat's distinctive cultural calendar.

Vikram Samvat 2083: History and Significance

The Vikram Samvat calendar is one of the historic traditional calendar systems followed across the Indian subcontinent.

It is traditionally associated with King Vikramaditya of Ujjain and is commonly dated from 57 BCE.

The calendar is approximately 56 to 57 years ahead of the Gregorian calendar, depending on the date and the regional calendar convention.

Vikram Samvat is used to determine religious festivals, auspicious occasions, lunar dates, temple rituals and traditional celebrations.

For Gujarati communities, the beginning of Vikram Samvat 2083 represents an opportunity to welcome a new year with renewed hopes and spiritual commitments.

The calendar also plays an important role in traditional business practices, family ceremonies and religious observances.

How Gujaratis Celebrate Bestu Varas

Gujarati New Year is celebrated with several customs that bring families and communities together.

1. Temple Visits and Prayers

Many families begin the day by visiting temples and offering prayers to their preferred deities. Devotees seek blessings for health, happiness, peace and prosperity.

Popular pilgrimage destinations include Somnath Temple, Dwarkadhish Temple, Ambaji Temple and other prominent temples throughout Gujarat.

2. Saal Mubarak Greetings

Exchanging New Year greetings is one of the most important traditions.

Families, friends, neighbours and business associates greet one another with Saal Mubarak and Nutan Varshabhinandan.

Younger family members also seek blessings from elders.

3. Traditional Gujarati Food and Sweets

Food is an essential part of Gujarati New Year celebrations.

Families prepare traditional dishes and sweets and share them with relatives and guests. Festive meals bring generations together and reflect Gujarat's rich culinary heritage.

4. New Clothes and Rangoli Decorations

Homes are cleaned and decorated with colourful rangoli, flowers and traditional decorations.

Many people wear new clothes and welcome relatives and friends into their homes.

5. Business and Financial Traditions

Gujarati business communities attach special importance to the New Year.

Chopda Pujan, traditionally performed during Diwali, involves worshipping new account books and seeking blessings from Goddess Lakshmi for business prosperity (read about Chopda Pujan and Bestu Varas in Ahmedabad).

The beginning of Vikram Samvat 2083 is an important milestone for traders, entrepreneurs and business families.

Gujarati New Year and Govardhan Puja 2026

Gujarati New Year 2026 also coincides with Govardhan Puja and Annakut celebrations.

Govardhan Puja commemorates the Hindu tradition associated with Lord Krishna lifting Govardhan Hill to protect the people of Gokul from heavy rains.

Temples celebrate Annakut by preparing a variety of food offerings and presenting them to the deity.

Devotees participate in prayers and seek the blessings of Lord Krishna.

The festival highlights gratitude towards nature, devotion to God and the importance of community traditions. See Govardhan Puja and Annakut 2026 and our guide to Hindu rituals after Diwali.

Gujarati New Year Celebrations Around the World

Gujarati New Year is not limited to Gujarat. Gujarati communities living across India and overseas celebrate Bestu Varas with the same enthusiasm and cultural pride.

Large Gujarati communities in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates and other countries welcome the new year through temple visits, cultural gatherings and family celebrations.

Gujarati associations and Hindu temples often organize special prayers, religious programmes and community events (more in Bestu Varas 2026 for NRIs).

For overseas Gujaratis, Bestu Varas is an opportunity to preserve their language, culture, religious traditions and connection with their homeland.

Gujarati New Year 2026: Important Details

Best Gujarati New Year 2026 Wishes

Here are some traditional and meaningful greetings to share with family and friends.

• Saal Mubarak 2083! May this Gujarati New Year bring happiness, prosperity and success.
• Nutan Varshabhinandan! Wishing you and your family a blessed and joyful New Year.
• May Lord Shiva bless everyone with good health, peace and prosperity throughout Vikram Samvat 2083.
• May the divine blessings of Somnath Mahadev bring strength, happiness and success into your life.
• Happy Gujarati New Year! May the new year bring fresh opportunities, positive beginnings and endless blessings.

Conclusion: A New Beginning Filled with Faith and Hope

Gujarati New Year is much more than the beginning of a new calendar year. It represents Gujarat's rich cultural identity, spiritual traditions, family values and entrepreneurial heritage.

As Vikram Samvat 2083 begins on November 10, 2026, devotees visiting Somnath and other sacred temples are welcoming the occasion with prayers and devotion.

From the sacred atmosphere of Somnath Temple to celebrations in Gujarati homes and overseas communities, Bestu Varas brings people together through faith, gratitude and hope.

HinduTone wishes everyone a very Happy Gujarati New Year 2026. Saal Mubarak! Nutan Varshabhinandan!