By Pt. Suvrat Sharma
Diwali-linked New Year in Gujarat's Amanta-Vikram Tradition

The Gujarati Panchang holds a distinctive place within India's traditional calendrical systems. It follows the Amanta (ending-on-new-moon) framework and celebrates the New Year, known as Bestu Varas, on the day immediately after Diwali. This unique approach weaves the calendar into Gujarat’s business, agricultural and religious life, making it both a sacred and practical tool.
The Gujarati calendar is a lunisolar system governed by the Vikram Samvat era (beginning in 57 BCE) but unlike North Indian Purnimanta-based Panchangs which end months on the full moon, it adopts the Amanta structure: each new month starts after Amavasya (new moon) and ends at the following Amavasya.
| Aspect | Nature / Details |
|---|---|
| Era | Vikram Samvat (since 57 BCE) |
| Month System | Amanta: New month starts after the new moon |
| New Year | Bestu Varas, after Diwali, Kartik Shukla Pratipada |
| Main Month | Kartik the first month, not Chaitra |
Signature Feature: Gujarat celebrates New Year (“Bestu Varas” or “Nutan Varsh”) on Kartik Shukla Pratipada, the day after Diwali, connecting the financial, religious and social calendar to this auspicious new cycle.
Bestu Varas Panchang listings show tithi (date), nakshatra, yoga, karana, vara, sunrise/sunset and muhurats for the new cycle.
| Core Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Month system | Amanta new month starts after new moon |
| Era | Vikram Samvat |
| New Year | Bestu Varas (Kartik Shukla Pratipada) |
| Key rituals | Chopda Pujan, Lakshmi and Saraswati Puja |
| Panchang points | Tithi, Vaar, Nakshatra, Yoga, Karana |
| Business reopen | New ledgers opened, Labh Pancham next |
In the Gujarati Panchang, the year begins with Kartik, making Chaitra and following months sequentially later:
| Serial | Gujarati Month | Sanskrit Name | Gregorian Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kartak | Kartika | October November |
| 2 | Magshar | Margashirsha | Nov Dec |
| 3 | Posh | Pausha | Dec Jan |
| 4 | Maha | Magha | Jan Feb |
| 5 | Fagan | Phalguna | Feb Mar |
| 6 | Chaitra | Chaitra | Mar Apr |
| ... | ... | ... | ... |
Chopda Pujan: An auspicious ceremony marking the start of the financial year, accounting books are worshipped with Shubh (“auspicious”) and Labh (“profit”) written, Swastika drawn and special prayers to Lakshmi and Saraswati for prosperity.
Labh Pancham: The fifth day after Bestu Varas, Labh Pancham is regarded as the most auspicious working day for businesses to start anew.
| Day | Date Example (2025) | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Bestu Varas | October 22 | New Year, Chopda Pujan |
| Labh Pancham | October 26 | Businesses reopen, new ventures |
The New Year coincides with Govardhan Puja, commemorating Lord Krishna’s sheltering of Gokul under Govardhan Hill against Lord Indra. This legend is at the spiritual heart of Gujarat’s New Year festival.
The Gujarati Panchang continues to be central for determining religious observances, setting muhurats for weddings and major life events, inaugurating financial years and even planning farming cycles. The tradition of starting the year after Diwali highlights the region’s synthesis of lunar tithi reckoning, Vikram Samvat era, business priorities and spiritual celebration, woven into the daily life of every Gujarati community.
Which base system does the Gujarati Panchang follow?
Amanta-Vikram Samvat; every month begins after new moon.
Why is New Year (Bestu Varas) celebrated after Diwali?
Kartak Shukla Pratipada marks the start of business, religious and social cycles per tradition.
What is the importance of Chopda Pujan for business?
It marks the opening of new account books and invokes wealth and auspiciousness.
Why is Labh Pancham so significant?
Fifth day after Bestu Varas, regarded as most auspicious for restarting business and new ventures.
What are the five Panchang elements?
Vara (weekday), Tithi, Nakshatra, Yoga, Karana all essential for muhurta and major rituals.
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