The River Yamuna is considered one of the most sacred rivers in India. Yamuna Ji, according to the Shastras, was the daughter of Surya, the Sun God, and sister to Yama, the God of Death. Yamuna Ji is intimately connected to Lord Krishna's pastimes. He sanctified the Yamuna Ji from the beginning of His transcendental pastimes in the world. Yamuna Ji is also called Patrani of Lord Krishna. Hundreds of Sanskrit verses have been composed by saints in the glorification of this river. Every morning, water is taken by the priests of several prominent temples of Vrindavan for bathing the deities in brahma muhurat. Most of the devotees of Krishna start their day by taking a holy dip into this river. Yamuna Ji is also the central water source in Braj Dham.

Yamuna is one of the most polluted rivers in the world, especially around New Delhi, which dumps about 57% (3,296 million liters per day) of its waste into the river. Though numerous attempts have been made to clean it, the efforts have proven to be futile. At present, Yamuna Ji has been declared a “dead river” by the Ecological Department of India, because of the excessive amount of coliform bacteria and other pollutants. The river which provides drinking water to many is not even safe for animals, birds, and fishes. If one devotee visits Yamuna Ji, and desires to take “Aachman” (a sip of holy water) or wishes to take a bath in it, needs to think twice. The smell is horrendous; there are visible feces, and an unlimited amount of bacteria. It is even said, that if one takes Aachman for 10 days straight, they will very likely get seriously ill.