With a roar that echoes across the plains, lions have long captured the human imagination. On August 10, World Lion Day invites us to celebrate these iconic big cats while raising awareness about their declining numbers and the urgent need for conservation. One of the best places to witness lions in the wild is Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, featured here. Nestled in the heart of East Africa, this vast savannah is home to around 850 to 900 lions.

The Indian lion—more commonly known as the Asiatic lion—has been deeply woven into India's cultural symbols and folklore for over two millennia. Revered as the 'Lord of Beasts,' this animal came to represent power, courage and sovereignty across ancient Indian civilisations. Magnificent lion carvings, like those found among the stone sculptures of Mahabalipuram, reflect this long-standing reverence. Perhaps the most enduring symbol of the lion's power is Emperor Ashoka's Lion Capital at Sarnath, carved over 2,000 years ago, which remains one of India's most iconic emblems to this day.