Having grown up in a multicultural home, Aditi Rao Hydari celebrates every festival with a heightened sense of enthusiasm and vigour. No matter what the occasion is, the actress takes joy in following simple traditions and rituals that make festivals special. “Be it Christmas, Eid or Diwali, we celebrate every festival at home in a meaningful way. For us, it’s not about grand celebrations or throwing big bashes. Instead, it’s the little things like making diyas with my mother and lighting a lamp to spread joy and happiness. These little things create the magic and vibe of the festive season,” says Aditi.

Talking about Diwali rituals, Aditi shares, “I love making rangolis. I make them from scratch and add floral decorations to it. I’m very particular about where the rangolis and diyas are placed. We also do a small puja at home every Diwali. The festival is all about giving, we make sure we give back to a lot of people who are underprivileged during this time of the year.”

Aditi, who hails from Hyderabad, spent most of her childhood in Delhi and says she has fond memories of celebrating Diwali in the capital. “I grew up mostly in Delhi, so most of my Diwali celebrations took place here. I have a close set of friends who I know since I was two years old. So we would always celebrate Diwali together, our parents made sure we spend every Diwali with each other,” says Aditi.

Aditi adds, “In Delhi, there is choti Diwali and badi Diwali and we have two days of unfiltered celebrations. As kids, we used to burst crackers and loved doing that. However, after a few years, our parents sat us down and told us about the harmful effect they have on the environment, and we gave them up with a heavy heart at that point. Later, we would light up the odd sparkler or anaar as a symbolic gesture, but even that stopped after a point.”

Aditi says the essence of Diwali is much more than crackers. “Diwali is about togetherness. It’s about spending time with the people you love, spreading joy and positivity, and just having fun,” she says, adding, “We may not burst crackers anymore, but we light up our entire house with diyas. When you light a diya, it’s a way of lighting a lamp within yourself and in other people’s hearts. It’s about hope and positivity and constantly believing in a better tomorrow, which is so important especially during these times.”

Aditi continues her little traditions this year as well. “Festivals bring that child-like excitement in you, which I think is so important. I decorated my home with rangolis, flowers and diyas and spent time with the people I love.

That, in essence, is Diwali for me. I wouldn’t have it any other way,” she adds.