Cultural meaning
Til sweets symbolize warmth and sweetness during winter, and the intent to speak kindly and strengthen relationships.
Temple offering & prasad
Many devotees offer til sweets to the deity, then receive and distribute them as prasad—sharing blessings with others.
Distribution & community
Sharing sweets with neighbors, relatives, and guests creates community bonding—especially important in harvest-season celebrations.
Significance of Til Sweets during Sankranti
The original page summarized til sweets in a table (culture, health, preparation, enjoyment, and festive activities). Below is the same core structure, expanded to include temple offerings and distribution traditions.
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Cultural significance | Til (sesame) sweets represent warmth and sweetness in winter. They are strongly linked to Sankranti as a symbol of new beginnings and social harmony. |
| Temple offering (naivedya) | In many families, a portion of til sweets is first offered in a temple or home shrine. After the offering, the sweets are treated as prasad—a blessed food meant to be respectfully shared. |
| Distribution (prasad & gifts) | Distribution is central: devotees share prasad at temples; households share til sweets with neighbors, relatives, colleagues, and guests. The act reinforces community ties and expresses goodwill—especially during the harvest season. |
| Health & winter benefits | Sesame is nutrient-dense and commonly regarded as a “warming” winter food. Combined with jaggery and ghee, it becomes an energy-rich seasonal sweet. |
| Preparation | Til sweets are prepared by roasting sesame and binding it with jaggery or sugar; many recipes add peanuts, coconut, or dry fruits for taste and nutrition. |
| Enjoyment & festive activities | Families prepare sweets together, exchange them as gifts, and enjoy them alongside other Sankranti activities such as kite flying, rangoli, and community visits. |
Common phrase and its meaning
In Maharashtra, tilgul is shared with the sentiment of “speak sweetly and stay together”—a practical reminder that Sankranti is also about social warmth.
How til sweets are offered and shared
Til sweets connect the sacred and the social. The sequence—prepare, offer, receive as prasad, and distribute—turns a simple sweet into a shared ritual.
Offering in temple or home shrine
- Set aside a small plate of til sweets as naivedya (offering).
- Offer with a simple prayer for wellbeing, harmony, and prosperity.
- After the offering, share it as prasad—starting with family members.
Distribution and community tradition
- Share with neighbors and guests as a festival greeting.
- Give to friends and coworkers as a token of goodwill.
- Include elders and children first—highlighting respect and continuity.
Many families also donate sweets or ingredients to temples or community kitchens, extending the idea of sharing beyond the household.