Indra (इन्द्र) is an ancient Vedic deity in Hinduism. He is the king of Svarga (Heaven) & the Devas (gods). He is associated with lightning, thunder, storms, rains, river flows & war. Indra's mythology & powers are similar to other Indo-European deities such as Jupiter, Perun, Perkūnas, Zalmoxis, Taranis, Zeus, & Thor, suggesting a common origin in Proto-Indo-European mythology.

Indra is the most referred to deity in the Rigveda. He is celebrated for his powers, & as the one who kills the great symbolic evil(malevolent type of Asura) named Vritra who obstructs human prosperity & happiness. Indra destroys Vritra & his deceiving forces, & thereby brings rains & the sunshine as the friend of mankind.

Indra's iconography shows him wielding a lightning thunderbolt weapon known as Vajra, riding on a white elephant known as Airavata & The rainbow is called Indra's Bow (इन्द्रधनुस्). Indra also plays a part in the Jain & Buddhist mythology.

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