Tilkut Chaturthi, Maghi Tilkund Chaturthi

Tilkut Chaturthi, Maghi Tilkund Chaturthi, is observed on the fourth day of Magh Month (Magha Shukla Paksha Chaturthi) as per Marathi calendar (Amavasyant calendars). In 2026, Tilkut Chaturthi date is January 22.

Tilkut Chaturthi is mainly observed in Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka and many other places of Western Indian and North India. Lord Ganesha is offered Shodashopachar Puja on this day.

Devotees observe fast (upvaas) throughout the day and in the evening after performing Ganesha Puja and Chandramaa Puja (worshipping Moon God), eat ‘Tilkut’ and break the fast. Tilkut is a sweet recipe prepared by mixing til (sesame seeds) with sugar or jaggery. Durva grass bladed are kept at the Tilkut Prashad and after offering water to Sun God (Surya Deva) & Til and Durva grass to Moon God (Chandra Deva). While offering ‘Naivedyam’ Ganesha Mantras are chanted.

Tilkut is a sweet savoury made of sesame seeds (Sesamum indicum) and jaggery or gur, sakkar- unrefined sugar or sugar. Out of three types of tilkuts, sugar tilkut is white in colour, the sakkar tilkut is is light brown in colour and the gur/jaggery tilkut is dark brown in colour.

Tilkut Chaturthi is also popular as Ganesha Jayanti, Vinayak Chaturthi, Varad Chaturthi, Tilkund Chaturthi, etc..

Significance

Primarily kept by mothers for offspring’s health, longevity, and success, it wards off life’s “sakat” (troubles) via Ganesha and Sankata Mata worship. Til-based rituals purify and invite abundance early in the year.​

Rituals

• Morning bath with til paste; daytime nirjala fast or fruits.​

• Evening puja with tilkut laddoos (sesame-jaggery sweets), modak, and durva to Ganesha; Sankat Nashan Ganesha Stotra recitation.​

• Offer arghya to moon post-chandrodaya; donate til, clothes to needy.