In Karnataka state Makar Sankranti is popularly known as Yellu Bella festival. On this auspicious day men, women and children wear colourful clothing, visiting near and dear ones and exchange Yellu Bella with Sugarcane and banana. Yellu means till (Sesame seeds) and Bella is Jagger y. A mixture of till(sesame seeds), Bella(jaggery), dry coconut(copra) and peanuts is given to friends, neighbor and relatives on this day. There is very popular saying on Yellu Bella in Kannada – ellu bella tidnu, ollolle matadi! (Eat till seeds, jaggery and speak good words). The significance of this exchange is that sweetness should prevail in all the dealings.

The popular belief is that consuming sesame seed, dry copra and jaggery is good for health as the festival falls in winter season in India the body needs moisture and till(sesame seeds), peanut is rich in oil content and act as a moisturizers to body.

Preparation time – 1 hour

Cooking time – 10 to 15 min

Serves- 10 to 15.

Ingredients:

Eellu(til/sesame seeds) – 2 cups

Peanuts – 2 cups

Roasted gram – 2 cups

Dry Copra – 2 cup(finely chopped into small pieces)

Jaggery – 2 cup (finely chopped into small pieces)

Kalyan seva – 100 gms

Sweet jeera – 1o0 gms

How to prepare ellu bella for Sankranthi –

Take a kadai, dry fry ellu (til/sesame) till it is golden brown in colour in a low flame (do not over burn or half cook the sesame seeds) ensure that it is roasted properly and keep it aside.

In the same kadai dry fry peanuts till it is golden brown  in a medium flame and cool it for a while. After it is cooled remove the skin of the peanuts and break the whole peanut into 2 pieces and keep aside.

Mix all other ingredients,thus Ellu bella is ready.