Light up your day

Manpriya Singh 

Till we stumble upon one best way to celebrate Diwali, there are so many better ways that’ll have to do.    For those yet to lock their Diwali plans, here are some celebrity inspired ideas — from the unusual to the ideal way of spending the day, they have it all chalked out. 

Yay! Diwali time 

“Diwali is my favourite festival and an excuse for all of us to get together; that is what I look forward to the most. With my brother (Navraj Hans) mostly in Mumbai, dad (Hans Raj Hans) mostly in Delhi, this is one time we all get together. As a child, I liked bursting crackers, but hun thode je siyane ho gaye haan. Now I feel it’s not worth it to pollute our environment so much. Yuvraj Hans, actor

Time to seek divinity 

“I enjoy the positive vibes around. The entire city is lit up, there is colourful lighting all around. Whenever I am in town, I always visit the gurdwara with my parents.” Prabh Gill, singer

Kurali days 

“As a child, I have memories of celebrating Diwali in my native town Kurali. I enjoyed the sweets and the morning after Diwali night, we used to go hunt for bombs. Now, of course, I don’t burst crackers but still enjoy the festival just as much.” Harish Verma, actor

Planned in advance

“This year, we are shooting on Diwali day but will finish by the afternoon and get to Diwali celebrations with family soon after that. It is lots of fun as everything in planned in advance.” Geeta Basra, actress 

Religious day 

“Lots of cleaning a day before, lots of food on the Diwali day, visit the gurdwara in the evening, light candles and chill with family. I used to burst crackers, but not anymore. It’s more of a family get-together and religious day than a party day for us.” Mandy Takhar, actress

Conventional mode 

“Diwali is a time when you get to meet your family, friends and relatives. On every Diwali, I make sure to spend time with family, friends and relatives. From Diwali shopping, ethnic-wear to decorations, my mom and I go all conventional.”  Isha Rikhi, model-actress

Hill chill 

“I belong to Uttrakhand and my best memories of the festival are all in my hometown. This year as well, I am super-excited to go to the mountains, breathe fresh air and have a quiet Diwali with family. I once ended up bursting a rocket on my hand out of excitement. I don’t know what was I thinking. But now I’m an avid supporter of noise and pollution-free Diwali.” Urvashi Rautela, actress

Home-made mithai

“In my childhood, I used to get very excited and join my mother in the kitchen where I used to help her prepare some tasty Diwali snack items — right from namak pare to gujiya to mathari to besan ke ladoo. I really relish these precious moments a lot. While everything, including food, is readily available outside, it’s not the same as the one prepared with love at home.” Kamna Pathak, Happu Ki Ultan Paltan

Honest prayer

“It’s the first Diwali with my son. We also recently moved to a bigger home and I have a lot to be grateful for. This Diwali I pray and earnestly wish for every person to have a shelter above their head. We tend to forget that there’s more to this festival than just crackers. So much one can do instead of bursting them.” Saumya Tandon, Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain 

Away from home  

“This year, I wish to make someone else’s Diwali special by celebrating with them. I am extremely fond of kids and would really like to celebrate this day with them at an NGO. This will be my first Diwali away from home.” Sarika Bahroliya, Gudiya Humari Sabhi Pe Bhari

Remembering dad

“One memory I recall is of the year before my father passed away. I had locked myself in a room and was reading books to divert my mind from the noise of the crackers. Understanding my mood, my father offered to take me out for a drive and that was the day I witnessed a completely different side to him.” Hunar Hale, Paramavatar Shri Krishna