‘Til gul ghya ni goad goad bola (तीळ गूळ घ्या नी गोड-गोड बोला)’, goes a saying in the Marathi tradition.

‘Til gul ghya ni goad goad bola (तीळ गूळ घ्या नी गोड-गोड बोला)’, goes a saying in the Marathi tradition.

It is used for greeting friends and family in Marathi households as the celebration for Til Sankranti nears. The saying means when one eats til and gud, they speak and live well.

Til or sesame seeds are revered as a symbol of growth and bring in flourishment after sloppy winters. The seeds are widely used in making sweet delicacies during auspicious Sankranti celebrations. Festivals like Pongal, Baisakhi, etc. all coincide with this festival and use sesame seeds as the main ingredient in celebration. People also give it away as ‘Daan’ to bring in good fortune.

The significance of til finds mention in Hindu mythology as well. It is said to be blessed by god Yama and is consumed as a symbol of immortality. Packed with the richness of minerals and vitamins, this superfood has been a part of Indian tradition since time immemorial.