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5 min
08/01/2026
Makar Sankranti is an Indian Festival based on both mythology and astronomy, agriculture, and seasonal wisdom. Many Indian communities witnessed this change along with rituals of harvest, gratitude, and food, which represent warmth, sustenance, and community during this time. In Maharashtra, tilgud is made with sesame seeds and jaggery, which has a special role in this festival.
The consumption of tilgud during the festival of Makar Sankranti has a symbolic meaning that is more important than a mere taste or tradition. The symbolic meanings associated with sesame seeds have to do with the cleansing action of the seed, warmth and love through the ritual of sharing, as well as the movement of the sun into the north. When the two foods are combined, it supports one's ability to survive during the cold winter season and continues the culture of strengthening relationships through the act of sharing. For centuries and across regional and geographical divides, sesame has been associated with continuity, protection, and expressing gratitude.
Sesame seeds have been part of Indian culture for years because they are used as a sacred way to go through transitions. They are often found in ritualistic texts and are thought to have purifying properties when used during seasonal or cosmic transitions. Makar Sankranti is an event that represents the start of Uttarayan in Indian culture, which is celebrated when you can clearly view the energy of the universe, and is thought to give clarity and positive energy to people, including toward those who are deceased, as it is believed that sesame seeds will be utilized to bring forth that energy for others to carry into the next phase of the solar cycle.
For those who eat a traditional Indian diet in the winter, sesame seeds have been included in this way to combat cold, dry, and sluggish digestion during the winter months. Sesame seeds contain oils that naturally provide lubrication to joints and help in digestion, while providing warmth to the body during periods of very cold weather. When combined with jaggery, another source of warmth, the final product of tilgud is something that is nourishing without shocking the digestive system. Tilgud can therefore be viewed as a means by which people find seasonal balance through celebration.
The phrase “Tilgul ghy, goa diya bola,” which is exchanged at this festival, is as important as the tilgul sweet itself; it reminds us that the new solar cycle should be one of harmony and not conflict. Sesame seeds are small, but they come together to represent the idea of community and continuity and jaggery, on the other hand, represents the effort it takes to earn sweetness. Together, tilgul and the associated saying represent an agreement to start the new season with warmth and kindness.
Sesame has the same auspicious role for both Maharashtra and the rest of India at Makar Sankranti. Sesame oil lamps are lit in Tamil Nadu, while the harvest prayers in parts of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh are accompanied by offerings that use sesame. While there are various regional variations to sesame's use, they all reflect similar values of protection and long life, as well as gratitude for the abundance.
As we face dietary norms based upon imported 'superfoods' and trend-driven nutrition, tilgud continues to play an important role in the lives of many people. It uses local ingredients that are most suitable for the climate and also relate to agricultural seasons. Mindful eating and sustainable food options are increasingly becoming topics of importance in today's society, and tilgud is an excellent example of a traditional food that can be adapted to resolve modern-day problems. Celebrating Makar Sankranti in 2026 with tilgud is not about nostalgia; it is about maintaining continuity, cultural wisdom and respecting the natural growth cycles of local ingredients at the same time.
The act of exchanging tilgud is more important than simply eating it; it is a way of building and reinforcing relationships during a period of time when the farming cycle begins anew. Exchanging tilgud is a recognition of interdependence; it implies a dependency between the farmer and the seasons, the neighbour and the family, the labour and the reward. The simplicity of tilgud's sweetness ensures that the main personal connection between you and the person to whom you are giving it is the most important element, thus making it one of the more equitable food items you could use during festive occasions.
