Til Dwadashi 2025: Today, January 26, marks the Dwadashi (twelfth) day of the Shukla Paksha in the Magh month. It is a tradition to consume and donate sesame (til), perform yajnas (havan), and worship Lord Vishnu on this auspicious day. According to the Puranas, especially the Narad and Skanda Puranas, there is a special importance given to til daan (sesame donation) on this day. The day after Shattila Ekadashi is celebrated as Til Dwadashi.
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What To Do On Til Dwadashi
On this day, devotees wake up before sunrise and take a holy bath at a pilgrimage site or in their homes, mixing Gangajal in water. Then, apply an ubtan (a paste of sesame) on the body. If unable to do so, one can bathe at home with water mixed with Gangajal. After the bath, perform an abhishek (ritual bathing) of Lord Vishnu with til (sesame) water. Til is also offered as part of the puja rituals. Following the puja, sesame is used for the Havan (sacred fire ritual). After the rituals, til is offered as the naivedya (offering) to Lord Vishnu, and the prasad is then consumed.
The Power Of Til Daan:
Offering sesame on this day brings the same virtue as performing the Ashwamedh Yajna and donating gold. According to astrological texts, Lord Vishnu governs the Dwadashi tithi, and on this day, the ruling deity is Lord Surya (Sun), who is associated with both Vishnu and the Sun. Therefore, fasting, bathing, and making donations on this day are believed to yield multiplied blessings.
Til Daan And The Rituals For Lord Vishnu
On Til Dwadashi, after a bath with water containing sesame, devotees offer prayers to Lord Vishnu. They begin by making a vow to fast and donate, followed by chanting the mantra “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya.” The idol of Lord Vishnu is bathed with Panchamrit (five sacred substances) and purified water. Then, flowers, Tulsi leaves, and other offerings are made. After the puja, the sesame naivedya is offered, and the prasad is shared with others. Following this procedure brings immense spiritual benefits and helps eradicate all accumulated sins, both known and unknown.
Benefits Of Til Daan
Offering sesame on Til Dwadashi is believed to remove obstacles in life. It provides freedom from sorrow, pain, misfortune, and all forms of suffering. A bath with til-infused water on this day cleanses all past sins. Additionally, performing Til Daan is said to bring prosperity in one’s career and life. Devotees also believe that pleasing their ancestors on this day can bring prosperity, as per religious beliefs. Astrologers recommend offering til tarpan (a water offering to ancestors) on Amavasya (new moon) and Purnima (full moon) for the well-being of one’s family and ancestors.
The Spiritual Importance Of Til Dwadashi
Til Dwadashi is considered a powerful ritual that grants all forms of prosperity and happiness. This fast is said to negate the sins of the Kali Yuga and is regarded as a purification ritual for the soul. According to the Padma Purana, offering sesame to Brahmins, performing ancestral rites (Pitru Tarpan), and conducting havans and yajnas on this day is believed to bring the merit of performing the Ashwamedh Yajna.
The Magh month holds immense spiritual significance, with bathing in its waters said to bring Lord Vishnu’s blessings. The rituals and fasts performed during this month purify the body and soul, and those performed on Til Dwadashi are especially powerful. Observing this fast and worshipping Lord Vishnu is said to grant the devotee the rewards of performing the Rajsuya Yajna, which is considered a significant spiritual achievement.
[Disclaimer: The content of this article is based solely on beliefs, and should be taken as general guidance. Individual experiences may vary. ABPLive.com does not assert the accuracy or validity of any claims or information presented. It is strongly recommended to consult a qualified expert before considering or implementing any information or belief discussed herein.]
