Makar Sankranti is just around the corner, and you will surely hear people say, “Til Gud Ghya God God Bola.” And not only will you hear this, but you will also see people share til ladoos with each other. But have you ever wondered why people share til laddoos on this day or what is the significance of til and gur on Makar Sankranti? Well, let us help you with that!
The Harvest Festival
Makar Sankranti, the harvest festival commemorating the movement of the sun, is observed on January 14. The sun begins its northward trek around January 14 when it enters Capricorn, also known as Makar in Hindi and Sanskrit. In Sanskrit, this shift is known as Uttarayan.
Because of the limited sunlight and inclement weather during the last quarter of the year, when the sun is moving southward, agricultural harvesting is put on hold. For this reason, the agricultural community celebrates the sun’s passage northward.
The nation celebrates numerous harvest festivals at the same time as Makar Sankranti, each with its own distinctive regional variations.
Similar to all Indian festivals, Makar Sankranti is celebrated with a variety of special dishes made just for the occasion. If Kaju barfi makes Diwali incomplete, then til (sesame) and gur (jaggery) delicacies are a must-have for each Makar Sankranti celebration.
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Significance of Til And Gur
Actually, because of their deep cultural significance and association with Sankranti celebrations, til and gur are much more than just celebratory components. During Sankranti celebrations, Marathi houses often greet relatives and friends with the phrase “Til Gud Ghya God God Bola.” Literally, the phrase means “Eat til and gur and speak good.”
According to Ayurveda, these are two of the best foods for winter since they boost immunity while keeping the body warm. Til’s oil content contributes to body heat production, preventing excessive drops in body temperature. Conversely, the iron and vitamin C richness of gur has also been utilised historically as a treatment for throat and respiratory conditions.
Sesame seeds are also known as the seeds of immortality because, in religious belief, they are blessed by Lord Yama, the God of Death. It is also said to be the meal or transportation of the deceased. Consequently, when doing Tarpan, a ritual was followed to pay homage to the ancestors.
Do you like til laddoos?
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