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The Gujarati New Year, also known as Bestu Varas, is a significant cultural and religious celebration for the Gujarati community. It marks the beginning of the New Year in the Vikram Samvat calendar, starting on the first day of Shukla Paksha Pratipada in the month of Kartik, which usually falls right after Diwali. In 2024, the Gujarati New Year will be celebrated on Saturday, November 2. This day is filled with joy, enthusiasm, and festivities, as people in Gujarat and across the world embrace new beginnings, fresh hopes, and positive energies for the year ahead.
Gujarati New Year is deeply rooted in tradition and customs, many of which are tied to Hindu mythology. One such legend associated with the day is the story of Lord Krishna and the people of Gokul, who stopped worshiping Lord Indra, the god of rain, and instead performed Govardhan Puja to honor the Govardhan Hill and the cattle, following Lord Krishna’s advice. This displeased Lord Indra, who sent torrential rains to Gokul. In response, Lord Krishna lifted the Govardhan Hill with his little finger, providing shelter to the people and cattle for seven days and nights. This event is commemorated during Govardhan Puja, which coincides with Gujarati New Year.
The Gujarati New Year is a time of renewal, particularly for businesspeople, who close their old account books and open new ones. This tradition is known as “Chopda Pujan,” where new account books, called Chopda, are inaugurated during Diwali Puja in the presence of Goddess Lakshmi. The books are marked with auspicious symbols such as “Shubh” (auspicious) and “Labh” (benefit) to ensure a prosperous financial year ahead.
On this day, families gather, homes are cleaned and decorated, and people wear new clothes as they visit temples to seek blessings. They greet each other with phrases like “Saal Mubarak” and exchange sweets and gifts, celebrating the spirit of unity and togetherness.
For those seeking to deepen their understanding of this vibrant celebration, learning through General Knowledge (GK) questions is a fun and educational way to explore the historical, cultural, and religious significance of the Gujarati New Year. Below, you’ll find a curated list of GK questions and answers related to the festival, offering insights into its rituals, history, and unique customs.
20 GK Questions with Answers on Gujarati New Year 2024
Ques. When is the Gujarati New Year in 2024?
Answer: November 2, 2024.
Ques. What is the traditional name for Gujarati New Year?
Answer: Bestu Varas.
Ques. Which festival precedes the Gujarati New Year?
Answer: Diwali.
Ques. What is the name of the traditional account books worshipped on Gujarati New Year?
Answer: Chopda.
Ques. Which day marks the beginning of the Vikram Samvat year in Gujarat?
Answer: Shukla Paksha Pratipada of Kartik month.
Ques. What is the Vikram Samvat year starting on Gujarati New Year 2024?
Answer: Vikram Samvat 2081.
Also Check: 50 GK Questions on New Year 2024 with Answers
Ques. What is the name of the puja performed during the Gujarati New Year for account books?
Answer: Chopda Pujan.
Ques. On which day does Govardhan Puja fall in relation to the Gujarati New Year?
Answer: It coincides with the Gujarati New Year.
Ques. Who lifted Govardhan Hill to protect the people of Gokul, as per the Gujarati New Year legend?
Answer: Lord Krishna.
Ques. What is the significance of marking the account books with symbols during Chopda Pujan?
Answer: To ensure a profitable financial year.
Ques. What is the common greeting used on Gujarati New Year?
Answer: Saal Mubarak.
Ques. Which Hindu deity is worshipped during Chopda Pujan?
Answer: Goddess Lakshmi.
Ques. What traditional event marks the start of the fiscal year in Gujarat?
Answer: The opening of new Chopda after Diwali.
Ques. Which Hindu festival shares its date with the Gujarati New Year?
Answer: Annakut Puja or Govardhan Puja.
Ques. What is the main symbolic gesture of cleaning homes before the Gujarati New Year?
Answer: To welcome new beginnings with positivity.
Ques. Which month in the Hindu calendar marks the Gujarati New Year?
Answer: Kartik.
Ques. What ritual is performed to inaugurate new account books?
Answer: Chopda Pujan.
Ques. What natural element did Lord Krishna protect the people of Gokul from during the Gujarati New Year legend?
Answer: Floods caused by Lord Indra.
Do Check: GK Questions on Parsi New Year
Ques. How long did Lord Krishna hold the Govardhan Hill as a shelter?
Answer: Seven days and seven nights.
Ques. What is another name for Gujarati New Year besides Bestu Varas?
Answer: Varsha-Pratipada or Padwa.
20 GK Quiz with Options on Gujarati New Year 2024
Ques. When does the Pratipada Tithi begin for Gujarati New Year in 2024?
A) 06:16 PM, Nov 1
B) 08:21 AM, Nov 2
C) 07:30 PM, Nov 2
Answer: A) 06:16 PM, Nov 1
Ques. What marks the start of the Gujarati New Year?
A) Govardhan Puja
B) Gudi Padwa
C) Ugadi
Answer: A) Govardhan Puja
Ques. Which of the following is a common ritual on Gujarati New Year?
A) Karva Chauth
B) Chopda Pujan
C) Rakhi
Answer: B) Chopda Pujan
Ques. What is the typical greeting exchanged on Gujarati New Year?
A) Happy Diwali
B) Saal Mubarak
C) Jai Shri Krishna
Answer: B) Saal Mubarak
Ques. What does the term ‘Chopda’ refer to?
A) Traditional sweets
B) New account books
C) Firecrackers
Answer: B) New account books
Do Check: GK Questions on Malayalam New Year 2024
Ques. In which month of the Hindu calendar does the Gujarati New Year fall?
A) Chaitra
B) Kartik
C) Vaishakha
Answer: B) Kartik
Ques. What significant event is remembered during Gujarati New Year’s celebration?
A) Lord Krishna lifting Govardhan Hill
B) The birth of Lord Krishna
C) The defeat of Ravana
Answer: A) Lord Krishna lifting Govardhan Hill
Ques. Which deity’s blessings are sought during Chopda Pujan?
A) Saraswati
B) Durga
C) Lakshmi
Answer: C) Lakshmi
Ques. Which is the starting year in Vikram Samvat that begins in 2024?
A) 2081
B) 2075
C) 2080
Answer: A) 2081
Ques. Which festival is celebrated the day after Gujarati New Year?
A) Bhai Dooj
B) Labh Panchami
C) Makar Sankranti
Answer: B) Labh Panchami
Ques. What do the symbols ‘Shubh’ and ‘Labh’ mean when written in new account books?
A) Happiness and Wealth
B) Auspicious and Benefit
C) Good Luck and Fortune
Answer: B) Auspicious and Benefit
Ques. Who is the God of rain that flooded Gokul in the legend of Govardhan Puja?
A) Indra
B) Agni
C) Varuna
Answer: A) Indra
Ques. Which day follows Diwali and marks the Gujarati New Year?
A) Amavasya
B) Shukla Paksha Pratipada
C) Poornima
Answer: B) Shukla Paksha Pratipada
Ques. What type of firecrackers are typically used during the Gujarati New Year?
A) Sky rockets
B) Sparklers
C) Flower pots
Answer: C) Flower pots
Ques. What is the name for the financial year book used by Gujarati businessmen?
A) Kalpatra
B) Chopda
C) Ledger
Answer: B) Chopda
Ques. Which community widely celebrates Bestu Varas?
A) Punjabi
B) Gujarati
C) Bengali
Answer: B) Gujarati
Ques. When does the Pratipada Tithi end for Gujarati New Year in 2024?
A) 08:21 PM, Nov 2
B) 06:30 AM, Nov 2
C) 07:00 AM, Nov 3
Answer: A) 08:21 PM, Nov 2
Ques. What is traditionally drawn at the beginning of new account books?
A) Om symbol
B) Swastika
C) Lakshmi feet
Answer: B) Swastika
Ques. What is the primary food offering on Govardhan Puja?
A) Milk
B) Annakut (mountain of food)
C) Sweets
Answer: B) Annakut (mountain of food)
Ques. In what way do people start the day on Gujarati New Year?
A) Cleaning the house
B) Lighting lamps
C) Visiting temples
Answer: C) Visiting temples
