Makar Sankranti is a vibrant Indian festival celebrated in mid-January, marking the end of the winter solstice and the beginning of longer days. It signifies the sun's transition into the zodiac sign of Capricorn (Makar) and is celebrated with kite flying, bonfires, and festive foods like sesame sweets and sugarcane dishes. The festival symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and the onset of a new harvest season.