Bestu Varas 2026: What to Wear for Gujarati New Year (Bandhani, Patola & Gaji Silk Guide)

For Bestu Varas, the Gujarati New Year that falls the day after Diwali, wear a Bandhani or Gaji silk saree in red, maroon, yellow or green, and keep a Patola for the family puja or visits. The festival is held on 9 or 10 November in 2026 depending on the tithi your family follows, so check your panchang. Bandhani is the default choice: it is light, festive and traditionally gifted at new beginnings.

Why Bestu Varas calls for a Gujarati saree

Bestu Varas is the first day of the Vikram Samvat year. Families visit temples in the morning, exchange new-year greetings (Saal Mubarak) and visit relatives through the day. Women usually wear a new saree for the day, and Gujarat's own textiles are the natural pick: Bandhani for brightness, Patola for the heirloom moment, and Gaji silk for a shimmering festive drape.

Bandhani: the everyday festival choice

Bandhani is tie-dye done by hand. Craftspeople pinch the cloth into tiny knots and bind each one with thread before dyeing, so the knotted dots stay undyed and form the pattern. The expert tell is the dot size: the finer and more even the dots, the more hours went into the cloth. Jamnagar and Kutch are the classic centres of the craft.

For Bestu Varas, red, maroon, yellow and bottle green are the traditional colours, because they signal auspiciousness and abundance. Georgette and satin Bandhani drape easily for a day of visiting, while silk-based versions look richer for the evening puja.

Gaji silk and Bandej: shimmer without the weight

Gaji is a lustrous silk fabric with a soft sheen that suits Bandhani prints well. Gaji Bandej sarees sit at the lighter end of the range and photograph well for the family pictures that always happen on this day. They are a good fit if you will be on your feet receiving guests.

Patola: when you want an heirloom

True Patan Patola is a double-ikat weave in which both warp and weft threads are resist-dyed before weaving, so the pattern lines up on both sides. It can take months on the loom and is priced accordingly. Many Patola-inspired sarees are woven or printed on georgette for easier wear; check the product page to see which one you are buying. Our Patola saree price guide explains the difference and what each tier costs.

What each type costs at MySilkLove

Across our Gujarati sarees collection (43 styles today), regular list prices start at about ₹2,300 for linen and satin Bandhani and rise to about ₹18,800 for a georgette Patola. Most Bandhani georgette, tussar and Gaji silk sarees sit between roughly ₹2,800 and ₹4,800. These are regular list prices; seasonal offers applied automatically at checkout can bring them lower.

Colour guide for the day

• Red or maroon: the most auspicious; ideal for the morning temple visit.
• Yellow or mustard: bright and cheerful for daytime family visits.
• Green with a red border: a classic Gujarati combination that suits silk.
• Black and red Gaji: a contemporary pick for the evening get-together.

Ordering in time

Bestu Varas is only days away. If you are ordering within India, place the order now and choose a style marked for quick dispatch. Free shipping across India and cash on delivery are available. If you are ordering from abroad, our Diwali order-by dates guide shows the cut-offs per country.

Shop the look: Bestu Varas sarees

• Browse our hand-tied Bandhani sarees for the classic Gujarati new-year drape.
• Choose an heirloom piece from our Patola silk sarees for the family puja.
• Shop auspicious festive colour in our red sarees for the morning temple visit.

FAQ

Is Bestu Varas the same day as Diwali?

No. It is the day after the main Diwali night (Lakshmi Puja). In 2026 Diwali is on 8 November, so Bestu Varas falls on 9 or 10 November depending on the tithi.

Which colour is best for the Gujarati New Year?

Red and maroon are the most auspicious, with yellow and green also widely worn. Avoid black as the dominant colour for the morning rituals.

Is a Bandhani saree suitable for a festival?

Yes. Bandhani is one of Gujarat's most traditional festive textiles and is worn for pujas, weddings and new-year celebrations alike.

How can I tell hand-tied Bandhani from a print?

On hand-tied Bandhani the dots are slightly irregular and the back of the cloth shows the same pattern with small raised puckers. A printed imitation looks identical on both sides and perfectly uniform.

Browse the full Gujarati saree collection to pick your Bestu Varas saree.