ওয়াশিংটন বাংলা রেডিও Washington Bangla Radio USA

In her ‘Diwali wishes’, published on the website of India’s leading English daily The Times of India on Wednesday, Roberts said essence of both Christmas and Diwali is the same as both ‘are festivals of lights, good spirits and death of evil’.

Roberts further pointed out that Diwali ‘not only belongs to Hinduism but is universal in nature and in its essence too’.

“Diwali ignites the values of self confidence, love for humanity, peace, prosperity and above all eternity which goes beyond all mortal factors… When I think of Diwali, I can never imagine a world broken into fragments by narrow feelings of communalism and religion which does not care for human benevolence,” said the Pretty Woman.

“Ever since I developed my liking and fondness for Hinduism, I have been attracted and deeply fascinated by many facets of the multi dimensional Hinduism… spirituality in it transcends many barriers of mere religion”, Roberts stated.

Talking of India, she promised ‘to return to this sacred land again and again for the best of creativity’.

 Roberts reportedly became interested in Hinduism after seeing a picture of Hanuman devotee Hindu guru Neem Karoli Baba, who died in 1973 and whom she never met.

She revealed in the past that entire Roberts-Moder family went to temple together to "chant and pray and celebrate. I'm definitely a practicing Hindu”.

 According to reports, Roberts has been interested in yoga for quite some time.

She was in Haryana (India) in September 2009 to shoot “Eat Pray Love” in an ashram (hermitage). In January 2009, she sported a “bindi” (vermillion mark on forehead) during her trip to India.

There were reports that she was trying to adopt a child from India and her kids shaved their heads during her last visit to India.

 Roberts, however, grew up with a Catholic mother and Baptist father.