( The Y in this name is a consonant pronounced like 'y' in 'you' and the N is pronounced soft like 'n' in 'no'.)
Yamuna is one of the principal rivers in India. It is considered to be a sacred river. Yamuna is daughter of Son god and sister of Yama and Shani. Thriveni, thee place where Ganga, Yamuna and Sarasvathi confluence is considered the holiest place in our country.
Many incidents of Mahaabhaaratham and Mahaabhaagavatham occured on the banks of this river.
It is our belief that Yama visits his sister Yamuna on every fourth day of the bright half of the month of Kaarthikam (8 th month of the luner year). As a token of honour to the bond of fraternity and sorority, we celebrate that day as a festival of 'brothers and sisters', when the brothers visit their sisters and enjoy happily with their families.
It is one among the many rivers mentioned in Bheeshma Parva by Sanjaya while he was describing the Bharatha Khanda land listing the hills, rivers and habitations therein.
The big list of rivers mentioned then contain the following rivers ( some names are repeated).
Ganga, Sindhu, Sarasvathi,Godaavari, Narmada, Baahuda, Mahaanadi,Shathadru, Chandrabhaaga,Yamuna, Drishadvathi, Vipaasha, Vipaapa, Sthoolavaaluka,Vethravathi, Krishnaveni, Iraavathi, Vitastha, Payoshni, Devika,Vedasmritha, Vedavathi, Ikshula, Krimi,Kareeshini, Chithravaaha, Chithrasena, Gomathi, Vandana, Koushiki, Thridiva, Krithya,Nichita, Lohithaarani, Rahasya, Shathakumbha, Sarayu, Charmanvathi,Vena, Bheemarath, Kaaveri, Chuluka, Vaani, Shathabala, Neevaara, Ahithaa, Supprayoga, Pavithra, Kundali, Raajani, Puramaalini, Poorvaabhiraama, Veera, Bheema, Oghavathi, Paashaashini, Paapahara, Mahendra, Paatalaavathi, Asikni, Kushacheera, Makari, Pravari, Mena, Hema, Ghrithavathi,Puraavathi, Anushna, Shybya, Kaapi,Sadaaneera, Adhrishya, Kushadhaara, Sadaakaantha, Shiva, Veeravathi, Vasthraa, Suvasthraa, Gouri,Kampana, Hiranvathi, Varaa, Veerakara, Panchami, Rathachithra, Jyothiratha, Vishvaamithra, Kapinjala,Upendra, Bahula,Kuveera, Ambuvaahini, Vinadi, Pinjala, Thungavena, Vidisha,Thaamra, Kapila,Khalu, Suvaama, Vedaashva, Harishraava,Sheeghra, Pichchila,Bhaaradvaaji, Shrona, Chandrama, Durga, Chithrashila,Brahmavedhya, Brihadvathi, Yavashva, Rouhi, Jambu,Sunasa, Thamasa,Daasi,Vasa, Anya, Varaanasi, Neela, Dhrithavathi, Parnaasha, Maanavi, Vrishabha, Brahmamedhya, Brihaddhvani, Mandaga, Braahmani, Mahaagouri, Chithropala, Chithraratha, Manjula, Mandaakini, Vytharani, Kosha, Shukthimathi, Ananga, Vrisha,Lohithya, Karathoya, Vrishaka, Kumaari, Rishikulya and Maarisha .
Sanjaya added that hat there were many other rivers in their hundreds and thousands.