The Yamuna came down to earth, to save her brother Yama from the curse he got from his stepmother Chaya. She prayed for the curse to be revoked, the god of death, then bless her with a boon that whoever will take a bath in the river of Yamunotri will be protected from an untimely death (Akaal Mrityu) and leads to moksha. Yamunotri is also a first shrine to be visited across Chardham Yatra.
