Gujarati New Year 2025: Date, puja timings and meaning behind the celebration
Discover Gujarati New Year 2025 date, puja timings and how it celebrates renewal and prosperity
As the glow of Diwali slowly fades and the last diya flickers out, Gujarat wakes up to a new beginning filled with joy, faith and light. This day is known as Bestu Varas, or the Gujarati New Year, and it marks a time to welcome prosperity, peace and new opportunities into life. In 2025, the Gujarati New Year will be celebrated on Wednesday, October 22, marking the start of Vikram Samvat 2082. It is one of the most important days in the Gujarati calendar, celebrated with puja, devotion, business rituals and heartfelt greetings of ‘Saal Mubarak.’
Gujarati New Year 2025: Date and Puja Timings
The Gujarati New Year begins on the Shukla Paksha Pratipada of the Kartik month, a day after Diwali.
Gujarati New Year Date: Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Pratipada Tithi Begins: 5:54 pm on October 21, 2025
Pratipada Tithi Ends: 8:16 pm on October 22, 2025
The shift from the dark night of Amavasya to the bright phase of Kartik represents renewal and hope. It is the time when every Gujarati home feels charged with new energy and intention.
Why Gujaratis Celebrate a Different New Year
While most parts of India begin the Hindu New Year in Chaitra month, Gujaratis celebrate it in Kartik month, right after Diwali. The day is also known as Varsha Pratipada, meaning the first day of a fresh year. For Gujaratis, this is not just a cultural date but a spiritual milestone. It marks the time to start fresh, give thanks, and seek divine blessings for the coming year. Businesses open new books, homes light fresh diyas, and hearts open with gratitude.
The Story Behind the Gujarati New Year
The Gujarati New Year is rooted in the ancient Vikram Samvat calendar, started by King Vikramaditya of Ujjain in 57 BCE. The king began this calendar to mark his victory over the Sakas, and it continues to guide many Indian lunar traditions even today. This day also aligns with Govardhan Puja, when Lord Krishna lifted the Govardhan Hill to protect the people of Gokul from heavy rains caused by Lord Indra. The story symbolizes protection, gratitude and harmony with nature, all of which are key values in Gujarati culture.
How Gujaratis Celebrate the New Year
Gujarati New Year celebrations are filled with devotion, family warmth and good food. Here are some of the main traditions that make this day special.
1. Chopda Pujan: The most significant ritual of the day is Chopda Pujan, the worship of new account books or Chopdas. Business owners and traders close their old ledgers and open new ones, marking the start of the financial year. They draw auspicious symbols like Swastik and Shubh Labh in red ink and offer prayers to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha. This ceremony reflects both devotion and discipline. It is a reminder that wealth is sacred and must be earned with honesty and humility.
2. Lakshmi Puja and Govardhan Worship: In homes across Gujarat, families perform Lakshmi Puja and Govardhan Puja on this day. Diyas are lit, sweets are offered, and prayers are made for good fortune and family harmony. Devotees often chant the _**Maa Laxmi Mantra **for protection and gratitude. You can listen and chant along on AstroSure.ai for clarity and spiritual calm as you begin your new year.
3. Morning Temple Visits and Darshan: The Gujarati New Year begins with an early morning visit to temples. People wear new clothes, carry sweets as offerings and seek blessings from deities and elders. It is believed that the first darshan of the year sets the energy for everything that follows. A peaceful morning visit can help attract positive vibrations throughout the year ahead.
4. The Joy of ‘Saal Mubarak’: All day long, families and friends visit each other to say ‘Saal Mubarak,’ which means Happy New Year. Sweets are exchanged, gifts are shared, and elders bless the younger members of the family. The greeting is more than a wish; it is a blessing for love, peace and success in the new year.
5. Feasts, Rangolis and Family Time: Gujarati homes come alive with vibrant rangolis, colourful decorations and festive aromas. Kitchens are filled with dishes like Dhokla, Patra, Thepla, Fafda, Jalebi, Mohanthal, Laapsi and Shrikhand. Families gather to celebrate, share stories and enjoy the happiness that comes from being together. The laughter and warmth of this day are as important as the rituals themselves.
Astrological Significance of the Gujarati New Year
The Gujarati New Year begins under the bright influence of Kartik Shukla Pratipada, a lunar phase linked to growth, hope and renewal. Astrologically, this is a favourable time for new beginnings, spiritual cleansing and financial planning. The planetary alignment on this day enhances wisdom, creativity and prosperity. Lighting a diya while chanting the Gayatri Mantra helps balance the mind and attract harmony. You can listen to and chant along to this mantra on AstroSure.ai for focus and peace.
The Spiritual Message of Bestu Varas
Beyond rituals, the Gujarati New Year carries a timeless message. It reminds us to let go of the old and make space for the new. It encourages gratitude for the blessings we already have, faith in what lies ahead, and kindness towards others. As people open new Chopdas, they also open their hearts to forgiveness and optimism.
The Meaning of ‘New’ in Gujarati Tradition
For Gujaratis, ‘new’ does not only mean the passage of time. It means renewal of purpose and attitude. When families gather, exchange sweets and perform pujas, they remind themselves that true prosperity is not just money but peace, good relationships and health.
As Vikram Samvat 2082 begins, every diya lit in Gujarat symbolises hope and prosperity. This is not just another new year; it is a celebration of life itself. May your year ahead be full of abundance, joy and inner peace. As you light your diya or open your new ledger, take a moment to feel grateful for the blessings around you and to welcome everything new that is waiting for you.
