In Hindu mythology, Raghu was a valorous king of the Ikshavaku dynasty. The name in sanskrit translates to the fast one, deriving from Raghu's chariot driving abilities. So celebrated were the expliots of Raghu, that his dynasty itself came to be known as the Raghuvamsha or the Raghukula after him. The history of his dynasty is elaborated upon by Kalidasa in his Raghuvamsha. The lineage described in the Raghuvamsha goes thus: Dileepa was the father of Raghu, who was the father of Aja, who was the father of Dasaratha, who was the father of Rama.

Raghu's father Dileepa was a very pious king, and performed as many as 100 yagnas or sacrificial rituals. Until he did so, only Indra, king of the Gods, had earned that distinction. In a bid to

Raghu is best known today as the great-grandfather of Rama. Raghu, there are indications that in the classical period, Raghu was a heroic personality of far greater importance that what one would imagine today. The epic composed by the classical poet Kalidasa's on the lives of the ancestors of Rama is entitled Raghu-vamsham or the "Dynasty of Raghu". Indeed, Rama himself is known by many appelations (such as Raghava and Raghukula Nayaka) indicative of his belonging to the family of Raghu, which again serves to underscore the great prestige enjoyed by Raghu in the puranic era.