Tila Dwadashi is an auspicious vrat observed on the twelfth day of Krishna Paksha in Magh Month as per North Indian Hindi calendars. In 2026, Tila Dwadashi date is January 30.
It falls in Krishna Paksha of Paush Month as per the Telugu, Kannada, Konkan, Marathi and Gujarati calendars.
The main ritual of Tila Dwadasi is offering food items or recipes prepared with sesame (Til) as Naivedya to Lord Vishnu. Donating ‘Til’ (sesame seeds) along with other food items and clothes is also considered meritorious deed for this Dwadasi vrat.
Tila Dwadasi vrat falls on the following day of Shattila Ekadashi.
Significance
Rituals invoke Krishna’s grace for wealth, health, and sin removal through til homa (fire offerings). It aligns with Surya Pongal, enhancing harvest gratitude in South Indian traditions.
Key Rituals
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Offer sesame seeds in homa; prepare til-based sweets like laddoos as naivedyam to Krishna.
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Recite Krishna mantras, perform puja with yellow flowers, and donate til, grains to Brahmins.
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Consume sattvic meals post-parana, avoiding tamasic foods.
Regional Observance
Prevalent in Vaishnava communities across India, including Hyderabad temples during Pongal season. Complements Thai Pongal’s solar worship with Krishna bhakti.