New Delhi: Diwali is one of the most loved and widely celebrated festivals in India. From wearing new clothes to lightening diyas & candles and eating delicious sweets, the festival is all about celebrations. The festival of lights is all about ending the darkness inside us and filling it with love, affection and light. People across the country decorate their homes with colourful diyas, candles and lamps on the occasion of Diwali. The sight is truly magical, isn't it? While COVID-19 crisis has brought the world to a standstill, we shouldn't let the pandemic dampen our spirit. We should celebrate the festival of Diwali with full fervour and enthusiasm. ALSO READ | Diwali 2020: Check All Important Dates, Shubh Muhurat & Puja Timings For The Festival Of Lights Why not go green this Diwali and celebrate the festival in an eco-friendly manner? Unless you are living under a rock, you must knowing the harmful effects of fireworks, which not only pollute the environment but also cause health hazards. In case you are living in Delhi-NCR, we are sure you must be reeling under severe air pollution. Several Bollywood and TV celebs have advocated Green Diwali to let mother Earth heal. How Bollywood & TV Celebs Are Celebrating Green Diwali 2020? Bhumi Pednekar has decided to go to green this Diwali by gifting saplings to her friends and colleagues from the film industry. The 'Bala' actress highlighted the need for conservation of nature and revealed that she is gifting samplings in earthen pots. "The reason behind gifting saplings to my family, friends and colleagues comes from a very simple thought of spreading green joy on Diwali. I am a climate warrior and while I absolutely love the spirit of Diwali, the festivities and gifting our near and dear ones, I thought this year I should start by changing the way I give gifts to people," the 'Pati Patni Aur Woh' actress said in a statement to IANS. Popular TV actress Shivangi Joshi aka Naira from 'Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai' has decided to virtually connect with her family members and relatives in Dehradun. Joshi will be making full use of technology to celebrate the festival with her loved ones. "The only good thing this lockdown has brought is that Mother Nature has healed extensively. I would appeal to everyone not to burst crackers. This year, I will make sweets, rangoli and light diyas, once we are done with the puja. I will then have a video call wishing my family and relatives back in Dehradun. Since there is still no vaccination, we must stay home, unless it’s absolutely necessary to step out. Let’s make use of technology to celebrate!," Shivangi told Hindustan Times. In case you are thinking 'What is Green Diwali and how can you celebrate it?', don't worry. We have got everything covered for you. We have also compiled some creative ways for you to celebrate eco-friendly Diwali 2020.

What Is Green Diwali?

Green Diwali is way of celebrating the festival of lights with minimum damage to the environment. The idea is simple, we have to save the environment and mother Earth, which provides us all the natural resources. The bursting of firecrackers not only causes pollution but is also detrimental for the health of elderly people, children and animals. Many people suffer from pollution-related ailments during the festive season due to poor air quality. We know it's difficult to imagine Diwali without firecrackers but what's the point of celebrating any festival if it causes harm to out health. The essence of Diwali will remain the same even if we opt to celebrate it in an eco-friendly manner.

How To Celebrate Green Diwali? Things You Can Do To Celebrate Green Diwali 

It's to time be creative and make full use of the long Diwali weekend. Here are the things you can easily do to celebrate Green Diwali. Create eco-friendly Rangoli You can ditch the bright rangoli colours which contains many hazardous materials this year. Why not go back to your old roots and use rice powder, flowers, haldi and petals to make a rangoli, which not only looks beautiful but is also safe for the environment? The idea sounds amazing, right? PICS| Diwali 2020: Here Are 10 Beautiful Rangoli Designs To Seek Inspiration For The Big Day Opt for Clay Diyas Instead of buying plastic diyas, you can always purchase the clay diyas from a potter. Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi has advocated for 'Vocal for Local'. Believe it or not but women in Rajasthan have used cow dung to make eco-friendly diyas. You can also get creative and make some diyas using clay at home. DIY decorations for Diwali Make full use of old fabrics and clothes to make some interesting DIY decorations for Diwali. Adding a personal touch to anything makes it more special. Here's wishing everyone a happy Diwali!