Makar Sankranti 2023: The Significance of Sesame Seeds in Hinduism and Their Origin on Makar Sankranti 2023

Makar Sankranti 2023: Til, also known as sesame seeds, are considered an important symbol in Hinduism. These tiny seeds are said to be the "seed of immortality" and are often used in funeral rituals as part of a ceremony called Til Tarpanam. They are also believed to have a hot potency and can keep people warm during the cold winter months. In addition to their use in funeral rituals, sesame seeds have a variety of other uses in Hinduism. For example, sesame oil, also known as Til ka tel, is considered one of the purest oils for lighting Diyas (lamps) in temples and for performing havans. According to astrologers, sesame oil can also reduce the ill effects of malignant planets like Rahu and bring the benefits of favourable planets.

One of the most significant days for sesame seeds is Makar Sankranti, a harvest festival celebrated across India. This festival, which marks the beginning of all festivals, is dedicated to the Sun Lord and is also known as Til Sankranti. Sesame seeds are said to be blessed by Lord Yama or the God of Death and are closely associated with this day. On Makar Sankranti, it is customary to give away black sesame seeds in temples to ward off the ill effects of Saturn or Rahu. In addition, people consume Til Ke Laddoo, a sweet made with jaggery and white sesame seeds, to celebrate the festival.

The origin of sesame seeds is said to be from Lord Vishnu, and it is believed that they are his favorite food. According to ancient Indian scriptures, the story of sesame seeds can be traced back to when Lord Vishnu was feeling extremely angry with Hiranaya Kashyapa, who used to torment his son. According to one version of the story, Lord Vishnu's sweat turned into sesame seeds. Another version of the story says that during the Samundra Manthan, Lord Vishnu's sweat came down as sesame seeds. Regardless of the true origin, sesame seeds are considered to be a pure form of food blessed by the gods.

In addition to their importance in Hinduism, sesame seeds also have significant medicinal importance. According to Ayurveda, sesame seeds are incredibly nutritious and can be used to control blood pressure, reduce stress, improve bone density, protect against epilepsy, and maintain reproductive health. Overall, sesame seeds are considered an important symbol in Hinduism and also have many medicinal benefits that are still being discovered today.