Hollywood actress Julia Roberts says the whole world should celebrate Diwali because it "celebrates self-confidence, love for humanity and peace".

"Diwali should be celebrated unanimously throughout the world as a gesture of goodwill, " femalefirst.co.uk quoted Roberts as saying.

"It 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, " she said.

The 43-year-old beauty, who recently revealed that she has converted to Hinduism, said she has become interested in the spirituality of the faith because it is more than a "mere religion".

"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, " she said.