AUSPICIOUS TIME FOR GUJARATIS, SIKH COMMUNITY

NAVI MUMBAI: For many communities, Diwali is also the time to usher in the new year. This includes the Gujarati community.

For most people in the community, the nava saal or Bestu Varas begins with food and revelry. “Bestu Varas is also called varsha- pratipada and falls on the day after Diwali. This marks the beginning of a new fiscal year,” said Ambalal Thakkar, a resident of Nerul. The day begins early with most people putting on new clothes and visiting temples.

“For us, the New Year means seeking the blessings of our elders by touching their feet. We also offer pujas at home too. But since Diwali is just a day before the new year, most rituals including the worship of chaupde or the bahi khata is performed at midnight itself,” said Hansmukh Bhai Patel, resident of Vashi.

Food is an essential part of the celebration, with osaman, khaman-dhokla, undhiyo, poranpoli and doodhpak being prepared.

Just like Gujaratis, the Sikh community also has a special way to celebrate the festival with kirtans, bhajans and langar. This day hold special significance since it was the same day that Amritsar was illuminated after the return of their sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji who had been held captive at the Fort at Gwalior.

“Since that day, Diwali became an auspicious day for Sikhs,” said Maher Singh Randhawa, a member of Punjabi Cultural and Welfare Association, CBD Belapur.