Savor the Sweetness of Makar Sankranti: Famous Til-Gud Sweets
Famous Sweets for Makar Sankranti
Til-Gud Laddoos
Sesame seeds (til) and jaggery (gud) laddoos are traditional sweets exchanged during Makar Sankranti. They symbolize warmth and sweetness, representing a bond of friendship and goodwill. The sesame seeds are believed to bring good luck and are said to absorb negative energies, while jaggery is known for its health benefits during the winter season.
Puran Poli
A sweet flatbread stuffed with a mixture of jaggery and gram flour, Puran Poli is another popular delicacy during Makar Sankranti. It is enjoyed with a dollop of ghee, which adds to the richness of the festival.
Pongal
Pongal is a sweet rice dish made with rice, milk, jaggery, and cardamom. It is named after the festival celebrated in Tamil Nadu and is a staple during the Sankranti celebrations in South India.
Chikki
Chikki is a type of brittle traditionally made with jaggery and peanuts or sesame seeds. It is a crunchy sweet treat that is especially popular during the winter months and Sankranti festival.
Gajak
Similar to chikki, Gajak is a dry sweet made of sesame seeds and jaggery, often rolled out into thin sheets. It is a winter delicacy that is savored during Makar Sankranti.
Significance of Til and Gud Sweets
Til (sesame) and Gud (jaggery) sweets are significant during Makar Sankranti for their health benefits in the cold weather. They are rich in iron, magnesium, and other nutrients. The act of sharing til-gud sweets is a gesture of goodwill, symbolizing the saying "Til-gud ghya, god god bola," which means "Take til-gud and speak sweet words." It encourages people to leave behind any bitterness and start afresh with sweet words and thoughts.
Enjoying Sankranti with Til Sweets
People enjoy til sweets during Makar Sankranti by preparing various dishes like til-gud laddoos, til chikki, and til poli at home. These sweets are distributed among friends and family as a token of love and are also offered to deities during the festival. The consumption of til sweets is also believed to provide warmth to the body, which is beneficial during the winter season when Sankranti is celebrated.