This is going to be the first year when I’ll be celebrating Diwali with my in-laws in Udaipur. Looking forward to celebrating and having fun!

We were booking the flight tickets one night and I had a workout session the following day. It got me thinking, “What would it require to make Indian festivals… healthy?”

I’m not religious but I love and enjoy the celebration and food! For me, Durga puja is amazing five days of Bengali food, Eid is Biryani, Diwali is sweets, Pongal is rice meal and so on. I'd want to continue enjoying these and explored a few things that can make not just the food but the overall celebration healthy.

Here are 8 doable things without compromising the spirit of the festival:

Here are 8 doable things without compromising the spirit of festivals:

1. Diwali cleansing: What if all the members in the family not only clean the house themselves but take a walk to the shop to buy lights, playing cards instead of ordering online.

2. Sattvic diwali meals: While the sweets (Kaju Barfi, Laddoos) are non-negotiable, primary meals can be made with fresh ingredients only — a Sattvic meal. A good opportunity to learn a new recipe as well. Also, a different meal than the usual could make it special.

3. Sugar-free sweets: Have the same sweets with natural sweeteners, sugar-free. You don’t compromise on the assortment but it’s the first, easy step to be thoughtful about your family.

4. Rangoli workout: Create a rangoli-inspired workout circuit where a bunch of family members create a rangoli from a photo. The first person to complete wins a gift!

5. Healthy bhaang: Mix flavourless protein in Bhaang. Bhaang (minus the intoxication) tastes amazing! Flavourless protein isn’t going to change anything and everyone will become a bit healthy without even realising.

6. Raksha bandhan workout: Get into arm-wrestling with your sibling. The one who loses gets to do 10 push-ups! It’s fun sibling rivalry and one of you gets to become a bit fitter.

7. Decorate your home with lights, yourself: Instead of calling an electrician unless it’s absolutely necessary, try to install them yourself. Will keep you active for about an hour!

8. Release lanterns: After dinner, instead of settling in the couch, setup a quick session to prepare and release eco-friendly lanterns. Build any theme… e.g. “send your wishes to the sky.”

There are many such small, cute things that can be easy to bring in along with the joy of festivals. Will keep sharing more of these closer to festivals.

Have a great festive year ahead!