Bestu Varas, the Gujarati New Year, falls on Tuesday, 10 November 2026, two days after Diwali on Sunday, 8 November. Labh Pancham, when many traders reopen for business, is Saturday, 14 November 2026. Fly into Ahmedabad, Surat, Rajkot or Vadodara, and book early, because family travel peaks around Diwali week.
Updated October 2026 · HappyFares
For Gujarati families, Diwali week is a reason to be home. If you are planning flights for Bestu Varas and Labh Pancham, here are the dates, the airports and the timing logic.
When is Bestu Varas 2026?
Panchang sources list Bestu Varas, which begins the new year in the Vikram Samvat 2083 reckoning, on Tuesday, 10 November 2026. Diwali itself is on Sunday, 8 November 2026. You might expect the New Year to fall the very next day, but the Pratipada tithi starts around midday on 9 November and runs into the afternoon of 10 November, so calendars that go by the tithi at sunrise place it on the 10th. A few calendars show Monday, 9 November instead.
Dates can differ by a day between cities and between local almanacs, because tithis are calculated from local sunrise. Check a Gujarati panchang or your family’s temple before you fix a puja plan, then book flights around the date your family actually observes.
When is Labh Pancham 2026?
Labh Pancham, also called Labh Panchami or Saubhagya Panchami, is on Saturday, 14 November 2026. It is traditionally seen as the first working day of the new year for many Gujarati traders, who reopen their shops and open new account books (chopda) after an auspicious morning muhurat. The muhurat window changes by city, so look up the timing for the city where you will be.
Because Labh Pancham lands on a Saturday this year, a family member who works away from Gujarat could plan a longer weekend around it, but that is a planning idea, not a rule.
Which airports serve Gujarat for the festival?
The four cities most travellers ask about all have airports:
- Ahmedabad (AMD): Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, the state’s largest hub with the widest choice of domestic routes.
- Surat (STV): a busy airport for the diamond and textile trade, and common for families who live in Surat but work in Mumbai or elsewhere.
- Rajkot (HSR): Rajkot International Airport at Hirasar, which took over all scheduled flights from the old city airport (RAJ) in September 2023. It serves Saurashtra and is the usual choice for families heading to Rajkot.
- Vadodara (BDQ): serves central Gujarat and is a practical option if you are visiting family there.
Check the airport name and code on your booking carefully before you pay, so you land where your family expects to pick you up.
Why is travel busy around the Diwali return?
Many people who work outside Gujarat travel home before Diwali and stay through Bestu Varas. That means flights toward Gujarat tend to fill early in the run-up, and flights away from Gujarat tend to be in demand on the days after Bestu Varas and after Labh Pancham, when families head back to work. Fares on these busy days are usually higher than on ordinary weekdays.
A few habits help:
- Book the outbound and return together, as soon as your dates are fixed.
- If your plans allow, compare the days either side of Bestu Varas. A day earlier or later can look quite different on price.
- Set a price alert if you are still deciding, so you hear when a fare moves.
- Check baggage rules for gifts and sweets. Airlines set cabin and checked baggage limits, and they differ by fare family.
If you are travelling with elders or children, pick a flight time that avoids a very early start on a festival morning, and keep your return buffer generous in case of crowds at the airport.
What should you check before you fly?
Web check-in and airport check-in are free on all Indian airlines, so there is no need to pay anyone for them. Carry a valid photo ID for every adult. Allow extra time at the airport on festival days, since terminals are usually crowded, and check your airline’s cut-off for bag drop on your ticket or app.
Did you know that festivals shape travel demand as much as the seasons do? Flights toward a festival city on the busiest days are usually harder to book, and dearer, than the same route on an ordinary weekday.
Common Questions
What date is Gujarati New Year in 2026?
Bestu Varas is on Tuesday, 10 November 2026 according to the panchang sources checked. Diwali is on Sunday, 8 November 2026. Local almanacs can differ by a day, so confirm with your family or temple.
What is Labh Pancham?
It is the fifth day of the bright half of Kartika and is observed on Saturday, 14 November 2026. Many Gujarati traders treat it as the first working day of the year and open new account books.
Which airport is closest to Surat or Vadodara?
Each city has its own airport: Surat (STV) and Vadodara (BDQ). Both are served by domestic flights, though route choice is smaller than at Ahmedabad.
Are flights expensive around Diwali and Bestu Varas?
Fares usually rise on the most popular days, particularly the days before Diwali and the days after the holidays. Booking early and comparing nearby dates generally helps.
Do I have to pay for check-in on Indian airlines?
No. Web check-in and airport check-in are free on Indian airlines.
Can I change my flight if family plans shift?
That depends on the fare family and the airline. Flexible fares usually allow changes for a fee, and cheaper fares are often more restricted. Read the fare conditions before you pay.
Heading to Gujarat for Bestu Varas? Search and compare flights on HappyFares, pay zero convenience fee on domestic bookings, set a price alert, or ask Meera, our AI assistant, to help you find the right date.
Festival dates, rules and fees change; verify current specifics with the airline, the airport or a local panchang before you travel.
