Vikram Samvat New Year celebrated with devotion in Gujarat's temples

Across Gujarat, the Vikram Samvat New Year, or Bestu Varas, was celebrated with immense religious faith and enthusiasm. According to a Sandesh report, lakhs of devotees flocked to various major pilgrimage sites in the state on the first day of the year. Considering the crowds, security arrangements were intensified at all temples, and systematic planning was implemented for darshan.

At the Ambaji temple, the chants of 'Bol Madi Ambe, Jai Jai Ambe' resonated from the early morning Mangala Aarti. Here, students of class 10 and 12 prayed for excellent results in examinations and bright careers. Women sought blessings for peace and respect in their families. One family even took a vow to visit the Ambaji temple every Diwali and New Year for the rest of their lives.

At the Somnath Mahadev temple, the first Jyotirlinga of the country, lakhs of devotees availed the benefit of darshan with chants of 'Har Har Mahadev'. Due to micro-management and queue arrangements by the Somnath Trust, devotees were able to have darshan easily. On the other hand, thousands of devotees reached the Shamlaji temple to have darshan of Lord Gadadhar Kaliya Thakor. The temple was decorated divinely, and various religious programs were organized throughout the day, in which devotees prayed for everyone's happiness and prosperity.

In the Dakor temple as well, the atmosphere resonated with the chants of 'Jai Ranchhod, Makhan Chor' from the morning itself. Lord Ranchhodraiji was adorned with special decorations. Keeping in mind the continuous influx of devotees, the darshan timings were extended by the Dakor Temple Committee so that no devotee remained deprived of darshan.

Vikram Samvat is an ancient era according to the Indian calendar, which is believed to have started after the name of King Vikramaditya. This era is given great importance in Gujarat and it mainly runs on moon-based calculations. Traditionally, this era begins from the first day of the Shukla Paksha of the Kartik month, which comes the day after Diwali. This day is celebrated with great enthusiasm as the New Year in Gujarat and is considered a symbol of new plans and optimism.