"I will be in Mumbai to celebrate it with my husband & family" - Neha Joshi

With the Diwali festival approaching, everyone has started preparing for this much-awaited festival. From cleaning homes, preparing shopping lists, festive food menus and deliberating new clothes to even planning a visit to their hometowns, the Diwali preparations are in full swing, and the festive spirits are high. As everyone gathers to prepare for the Diwali festival, &TV artists reveal their plans for this year. 

These include Neha Joshi (Yashoda, Doosri Maa). Neha Joshi, aka Yashoda from Doosri Maa, shares, “Diwali is one of my favourite celebrations, and it means a lot to me. I love being with my family at home during this festive time. I am looking forward to this year's Diwali as I will be in Mumbai to celebrate it with my husband and family. Even though there are still more than ten days to go, I'm already very excited and have started packing (laughs). Diwali, known as the Festival of Lights, accompanies my love for nature. I don't prefer fireworks; instead, I light lots of diyas."

She added, "I recently bought some beautifully hand-painted clay lamps at Bapu Bazar in Jaipur to make the occasion eco-friendly. To make this Diwali special for my family, I've done a lot of shopping for traditional ethnic clothing. I hope they will like my choices. The markets are already bustling with the festive spirit, making me even more excited for the upcoming celebration. In our Maharashtrian tradition, we make delicious homemade treats for Diwali, like Karanji, a sweet coconut and sugar-filled pastry, crispy chakli made from lentils and rice, and Chivda, a delightful mixture of roasted poha, peanuts, cashews, and dal. This year, I can't wait to make these traditional goodies for our guests at home. Diwali isn't just about lights; it's about being together and having fun, and I'm eager to share it with my loved ones."