Happy Diwali: Celebs on what the festival of lights mean to them, share celebration plans

Diwali is synonymous to good food, fun and happy times with loved ones. Everyone is looking forward to celebrating the festival of lights this year.

Celebrities too have made plans and the countdown has already begun. They talk to JYOTHI VENKATESH about what the festival signifies to them and how they are looking forward to making merry:

Anjali Phougat

Diwali symbolizes the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance.

My most favourite memory is to celebrate the occasion with my family in India, doing the pooja together and staying up late for fireworks.

Feeling really nostalgic thinking about those days… In the US, we celebrate Diwali with friends and it's an annual tradition to throw a party for Diwali at our place.

This is something I am planning to do this time as well but sometime later this year with my friends and family. So I am excited and looking forward to seeing my loved ones soon.

Saurabh Agarwal

Diwali many things to me, I have written a poem that says it all. ‘Har taraf chaka chaundh Dil mai Andhera../Kaisa yeh tyohaar kaisa yeh bakeda../ Bahari saajo sajawat raushani nahi/Man ki Safai Raushani ko darshata hai Dipawali ka tyohaar/ Aao phunke apne Dimaag ke is Ravan ko Aur manayen harsh ulhaas ka yeh tyohaar../ Baharari sajavat ka kya matlab jab apna Dil hi Kala ho,/ Ek deep jalao Pyaar ka, toh Insaan khud ka Roshan ho../ Phir har din hoga tyohaar, /Jalein gay deep aur phootega pyaar ka anaar,/ Diwali phir har din bane gi janaab aur Hoga khushiyoon ka tyohaar..’ Happy Deepavali, love all irrespective of who they are.

As a kid it was a huge celebration for us. It was a great family bonding, all of us cousins used to celebrate it together.

As kids, we used to wait for fire crackers and moti choor ka laddu, and we also used to get envelopes with money from our elders.

It was great fun. Dussehra onward we used to start playing cards as a part of our rituals.

Shiny Doshi

Diwali is one of my favourite festivals, because we used to get good long vacations at our grandparents place.

Diwali is the time when the entire family used to come together to celebrate. The significance of the occasion is the pooja that we do during this time.

I’m a very spiritual person. After the pooja it’s all about bursting crackers. Diwali actually gives a ray of hope to you, fills your heart with joy.

And about my favourite memory would be spending time with my notorious brother during our childhood days.

Now, we don’t burst crackers but as kids when parents used to get us crackers my brother used to steal my crackers so he could burst them all alone.

And I used to fight with him and cry and hide my crackers too (laughs). This is my first Diwali after marriage, so I will most probably be in Mumbai with my family and friends. I’m very excited to do the Laxmi pooja with my in-laws and husband.

Nivedita Basu

Diwali, for us, is obviously about meeting friends and going to their houses for good, adds and laughter.

But for the past two years I’ve forgotten what Diwali looks and feels like. Fortunately for Durga Puja, Dussehra and even in Diwali I will be with my mother.

She is here in Mumbai with us. We will be following all the standard protocols while enjoying the occasion.

Salim Diwan

I enjoy this festival that symbolizes the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance.

The lights of Diwali signifies a time to destroy all our dark desires, thoughts, eradicate evil and gain strength out of good deeds and also get the positive zeal to carry on the rest of the year.

My most favourite Diwali memory is to meet my old friends and have all the sweets and farsans.

I love to celebrate all the festivals with my family and friends at home. I don’t enjoy going out to celebrate. As festivals means spending some joyful time with our own people.

Vandana Khandelwal

Diwali signifies hope and happiness. I love the whole festive vibe, lovely decorations all around and so much positivity.

My most favourite Diwali memory as a kid is making rangolis, it was so much fun. I would like to stay at home and celebrate with family this time, dress up, do pooja and eat lots of delicious sweets.

Diwali celebration doesn't end in a day, it goes on for a month, visiting friends and loved ones, sending goodies etc.

Ridhiema Tiwari

I was always drawn towards lights from my childhood. Decorative Lights made me the happiest.

I looked forward to beautiful well lit arrangements in my house, neighbourhood, the market area and temples.

I hated the sound of crackers when I was a baby. My mom would stuff my ears because I wouldn’t stop crying.

For me Diwali is indeed the festival of lights— lamps, lanterns, diya's , Laxmi Puja ,phuljadis, good food, flowers, sweets, new clothes and family get-togethers.

My most favorite Diwali memory is the one where I overcame my fear of crackers when I was in my 8th Standard.

For the first time at my Nani’s house in Gwalior, I burst a lot of crackers that day and felt free from fear.

Like every year, I am celebrating Diwali at home in my favorite ways. My husband, Jaskaran Singh, and I are going to be dressed in our best Indian attires.

We may invite a few close friends for dinner and have a wonderful family time with our pets (three dogs, Rio Rocky and Arya). We also plan to have a karaoke session to complete the Diwali fun.

Anupama Solanki

Diwali is a very precious festival to me, fun, vibrant and energetic because there are lights everywhere, brightness, decorations, excitement and positivity.

Each and every Diwali is memorable for me when spent with my family. Unfortunately for the last two years I could not go home during Diwali.

But this time, I plan to celebrate the festival with my family. And the best part is that I am fully vaccinated.

I can go to my hometown Chandigarh and have a gala time. I will also not be able to meet my friends in Mumbai.

Nilesh Ahuja

Diwali is one of the major festivals in India and this is all about making fun with friends and family.

The festival of lights means fun, good food and happy times with loved ones. As always, this year too I will be celebrating it with my friends and family, and then I will be going on a short trip to the mountains.