Tilgul
Sesame and jaggery sweet exchanged during winter festivals in Maharashtra
Tilgul is a sweet from Maharashtra, India, made with sesame seeds and jaggery. It is especially prepared and shared during the Hindu festival of Sankranti in January, when families exchange it as a symbol of goodwill. The sweet is linked to winter, as both main ingredients are considered warming.
- Made from sesame seeds and jaggery
- Exchanged during the Sankranti festival in Maharashtra
- Believed to help keep the body warm in winter
- Given with the phrase 'Tilgul ghya, goad goad bola'
- Linked to Hindu winter festivals like Lohri and Rath Saptami
What is Tilgul?
Tilgul is a small, round candy made from sesame seeds and jaggery, often with a glossy coating of sesame on the outside. The sweet has a nutty, slightly earthy taste from the sesame, balanced by the deep, caramel-like flavor of jaggery, a traditional unrefined sugar. The texture is crunchy and firm. Tilgul is typically bite-sized and is associated with winter, as both main ingredients are thought to help keep the body warm.
Where does Tilgul come from?
Tilgul comes from Maharashtra, a region in western India. Its name is drawn from the Marathi words for sesame (til) and jaggery (gul). The sweet is closely tied to the festival of Sankranti, celebrated in mid-January, when it is exchanged among friends and family. The practice of sharing tilgul is rooted in the belief that sesame and jaggery are beneficial during the cold season. The tradition has become a key part of the festival's customs.
How is Tilgul made?
To make tilgul, sesame seeds are first roasted to bring out their aroma and flavor. Jaggery is melted and cooked until it thickens, then mixed with the roasted seeds. The mixture is quickly shaped into small balls or candies before it cools and hardens. Once set, the candies are often rolled in more sesame seeds for a crisp outer layer. The process must be done quickly, as the mixture firms up fast.
How and when is Tilgul eaten?
Tilgul is not an everyday sweet but is made and exchanged during winter festivals, especially Sankranti. Families prepare batches at home and offer them to guests, neighbors, and relatives. When giving tilgul, it is customary to say, 'Tilgul ghya, goad goad bola,' which means 'Take tilgul and speak sweetly.' This exchange is seen as a gesture of goodwill and a wish for harmony in the coming year.
Kinds of Tilgul
While tilgul is most closely linked to Maharashtra, similar sesame and jaggery sweets are found in other parts of India during winter festivals like Lohri. The basic ingredients remain the same, but shapes and sizes may differ. Some versions may include peanuts or coconut, but the classic tilgul is a simple mix of sesame and jaggery. The tradition of exchanging this sweet is strongest in Maharashtra.
What Tilgul means
Tilgul holds a special place in the Sankranti festival, marking the start of longer days after the winter solstice. The act of sharing tilgul is meant to encourage kindness and sweet speech in the new year. The sweet is also believed to help the body cope with winter's chill. The phrase spoken during its exchange has become a symbol of the festival's spirit in Maharashtra.
When Tilgul is on the table
Questions people ask about Tilgul
What is tilgul made of?
Tilgul is made from roasted sesame seeds and jaggery, which is a traditional unrefined sugar. The mixture is shaped into small candies and often coated with more sesame seeds.
Where does tilgul come from?
Tilgul comes from Maharashtra, a region in western India. It is especially associated with the Hindu festival of Sankranti, celebrated in January.
When is tilgul eaten?
Tilgul is mainly prepared and exchanged during winter festivals, especially Sankranti, which takes place in mid-January. It is not typically eaten year-round.
Why is tilgul exchanged during Sankranti?
Exchanging tilgul during Sankranti is a tradition meant to promote goodwill and sweet speech. The sweet is also thought to help the body stay warm in winter.
Is tilgul suitable for vegans?
Yes, tilgul is vegan as it contains only sesame seeds and jaggery, with no animal products.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Tilgul", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and it is not dietary or allergy advice: recipes differ from cook to cook. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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