Yamunotri

01Sister of Yama

Yamuna is the daughter of Surya and Sanjna and the twin sister of Yama. The Puranas say that on Kartik Shukla Dwitiya Yama visited his sister and, pleased with her care, granted that whoever bathes in her waters and whoever is fed by a sister on that day would be free of the fear of untimely death; this is Bhai Dooj, also called Yama Dwitiya. Because she flows from the Kalind mountain she is Kalindi. The sage Asita is said to have lived here, and to have bathed daily in both Ganga and Yamuna until, in his old age, a stream of Ganga appeared beside him.

02Divya Shila and Surya Kund

Before entering the temple pilgrims worship the Divya Shila, a rock pillar by the hot springs. The Surya Kund is hot enough to cook rice and potatoes tied in a cloth. The black stone murti of Yamuna stands in the small sanctum with a white marble Ganga beside her. The temple has been damaged by snow and earthquake more than once and rebuilt. In winter the murti goes to Kharsali village, across the river, whose Uniyal families are the priests.