Bhishma and the “Path of Light”
In the Mahabharata, Bhishma used his boon of choosing the time of death to wait for Uttarayana. The belief is that departing during Uttarayana is especially auspicious, symbolizing liberation and spiritual progress.
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Wishes for Makar Sankranti & Uttarayan
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Makar Sankranti
Uttarayan
Stories behind Makar Sankranti
Myths and legends that explain why this day is seen as a powerful turning point from darkness to light.
Bhagirath and the descent of Ganga
The story of King Bhagirath explains the tradition of holy bathing: through intense penance, he brought the river Ganga to Earth to purify and liberate his ancestors.
Surya meets Shani
Makar Sankranti marks the Sun’s entry into Capricorn (ruled by Saturn/Shani). The story is told as Surya visiting Shani — a symbol of reconciliation. This idea lives on in sharing til-gud (tilgul) and speaking sweetly.
Goddess Sankranti and the victory of good
Regional lore speaks of Goddess Sankranti defeating negativity and restoring harmony — mirroring the festival’s message of renewal and positive change.
Food for Makar Sankranti: meaning & favorites
Why til (sesame) and jaggery matter — plus must-try dishes across regions.
Til (Sesame)
- Symbol of resilience (grows in harsh conditions)
- Considered pure and sacred in rituals
- Creates warmth in the body during winter
Jaggery (Gud)
- Natural, unrefined sweetness
- Symbol of sweet speech and relationships
- Gives energy after cold months
Together: Til + Gud
Til + Gud carries a message: “Stay warm, stay strong, and speak sweetly—even in difficult times.” That’s why people exchange tilgul and say: “Tilgul ghya, god god bola.”
Tilgul / Til laddoo
Classic sesame-jaggery sweets for warmth & goodwill.
Chikki
Crunchy jaggery brittle (peanut/sesame).
Undhiyu
Gujarati winter special often served during Uttarayan.
Pongal / Khichdi
Harvest comfort foods served across regions.