The Karna Temple at the confluence is dedicated to Karna, the tragic hero of the Mahabharata — the great archer and warrior who was the elder brother of the Pandavas, though neither side knew it during the war. Karna is said to have meditated at this spot and worshipped the sun god Surya here; the town takes his name. The temple is a simple stone structure typical of the Garhwal hills, small in scale but significant to pilgrims on the Char Dham route.
Beside the Karna Temple stands a shrine to Uma (Goddess Durga). Both are active places of worship rather than monuments — pilgrims arriving at the confluence for a ritual bath typically visit both shrines. The complex is well-kept and accessible throughout the day, with priests present for puja.