Til Gul laddu >> Sesame seeds- jaggery balls.

My memories of this day were wearing new clothes and wandering door to door to distribute these laddus to our family and neighbours. In return, take blessings and come home to delicious food made by mother.

Makar Sankrant, celebrated with different names in various parts of India, Bihu in Assam, Lohri in Punjab, Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Uttarayan in Gujarat, marks the shift of sun into ever-lengthening days (From one Rashi to other). Time for peace and prosperity.

Why do we make til- gul laddu in Marathi household? Sesame seed and jaggery balls?

The combination of sesame seeds and jaggery is a good warming snack during winters. According to Ayurveda the til-gul laddus are winter-perfect, keeps our body warm and boost immunity at the same time.

The natural oil present in the sesame seeds helps the body to generate heat and avoid the internal body temperature from dropping. On the other hand, jaggery provides iron and vitamin C that is used as a remedy for respiratory disorders and throat problems.

Sankrant is a lavish festival that marks the harvest season and brings joy to many communities in India. It is and will always be my favourite, especially because I get to make and eat these delicious yet healthy sweets.

Wishng you all a very happy Makar Sankrant, Bihu, Pongal, Lohri, and Uttarayan.