Importance of Sesame seeds during Makara Sankranti

According to religious beliefs, sesame seeds were blessed by Lord Yama, the God of Death, and are hence referred to as the seeds of immortality. As per another legend, sesame seeds are nothing but solidified forms of Lord Vishnu's sweat that fell on the ground. However, the sweat referred to here has a more profound meaning. It is a part of the divine, and hence sacred.

Moreover, Sesame seeds finds a mention in several sacred texts. Interestingly, sesame seeds can be used for six different purposes. And they are also believed to be the vehicle or the food of the departed souls. Hence, black sesame seeds are used while performing Tarpan (a ritual meant for pay ode to dead ancestors).