Festival - Bestu Varas

Bestu Varas or Padwa or Varsha-Pratipada is a festival that marks the Gujarati New Year. It falls in the month of October and is observed on the day next to Diwali. Gujarati New Year or Bestu Varas is synonymous with “sudekam” of the month of “Kartik”.

Traditional rituals and customs are observed to bid farewell to the bygone year and to usher in the New Year. Bestu Varas is the time to bury all sufferings, memories and pains of the past year. It is a day to start life afresh with new desires and renewed enthusiasm.

Gujarati houses are decorated with lights and flowers and Gujaratis make it a point to visit temples on this day.

How do you celebrate Bestu Varas?

Bestu Varas or the Gujarati New Year is a time to make merry. Some temples of Gujarat perform Govardha Puja on this day with great grandeur. Gujaratis start the New Year by offering prayers to God and wishing each other peace and happiness. They wear new clothes and visit temples with sweets and flowers.

The festive spirit is celebrated with an elaborate dinner. Gujaratis indulge themselves without any inhibition on this day. Bestu Varas reflects the true Indian traditional spirit. The pure essence of Gujarati religion and culture can be felt during the Bestu Varas celebrations. The intangible and priceless assets of love, togetherness and unity are the true characters of this festive occasion.