Ahmedabad: While many business families in Ahmedabad head out of the city during the extended Diwali break, several traders continue to observe a long-standing Bestu Varsh tradition by opening their shops, offering prayers and recording the year’s first transaction on Gujarati New Year Day.For generations, traders have personally unlocked their shops and offices, performed religious rituals, opened new account books and entered the first bill of the year, seeking prosperity for the months ahead.At Shashwat Textiles Ltd in New Cloth Market, the responsibility of opening the shop rests with the senior-most member of the family, a tradition that has continued for more than three decades. Director Amish Shah said his father performs the ritual every New Year morning.“The first bill is dedicated to our family deity, while the second is issued to a regular wholesale customer to mark an auspicious beginning. This tradition has been followed by our family for generations,” he said.For jewellers, the occasion combines faith with symbolic business activity. Ahmedabad-based jeweller Jigar Soni said preparations begin during Diwali, with families buying new clothes and decorating shops with Asopalav torans.The tradition remains strong in New Cloth Market as well. Amit Shah, a third-generation textile trader, said most businesses perform the New Year muhurat between 6am and 9am.“We offer flowers, make the first accounting entry, known as pehla hisaab, and visit temples to seek blessings for the year ahead,” he said.Though changing lifestyles and holiday travel plans mean some business owners are away during the festivities, many families continue to follow customs that have been passed down through generations.After the ceremonial opening and prayers, most markets resume regular business activity following the customary festive break, usually on Labh Pancham or Saatam.
