A grand festival was once held by the virtuous, its proceedings beginning with the worship of Śeṣa, the mighty serpent. With heartfelt devotion, the twice-born were honored, and the worship of the Nāga was performed first, setting the tone of reverence and purity. It was said that those who, with focused minds, bathe at this sacred spot during the month of Vaiśākha receive great blessings. Therefore, during Mādhava, all are urged to diligently perform rites here, for the act of bathing at this place grants the fulfillment of every desire. Whoever offers a well-adorned milch cow here, dedicating it to Viṣṇu, is assured an eternal dwelling in the everlasting world of Viṣṇu. Faithful men are encouraged to especially worship at this spot, seeking the pleasure of Lakṣmī-Nārāyaṇa and, in particular, the attainment of Lakṣmī. Here, all the sacred places gather together and abide, so that the great fruit of bathing in all tīrthas is obtained. It was at this tīrtha that Śeṣa was established, a being capable of removing the burden of the earth. From that moment onward, the tīrtha attained supreme fame. Even on the bright fifth day, especially during the month of Śrāvaṇa, at the Sahasradhārā tīrtha, one who bathes there attains heaven. O best of men, whoever, with reverence and to the best of his ability, performs bathing and charity at this tīrtha according to the prescribed method, finds great merit. At this point, the sage Kṛṣṇadvaipāyana spoke sweet words, expressing his joy: “Hearing from you, my mind has attained supreme joy. Please, as I listen, tell me of another excellent tīrtha in truth.” Agastya replied, “Hear, O brāhmaṇa, I shall tell you of another unsurpassed tīrtha. The Lord alone is able to describe in detail the greatness of the gateway to heaven. Beginning from the thousand streams in the waters of the eastern Sarayu, the expanse of the gateway to heaven has been described by learned experts in ancient lore. Truth, truth, again truth—never is my speech untrue. Forsaking all other divine and earthly sacred places, one should especially perform the morning bath here. Creatures relinquish their lives within the gateway to heaven, O twice-born. Behold this gateway to liberation, which grants attainment of heaven to men. The gateway to heaven is exceedingly difficult to attain—even for the gods, there is no doubt. At the gateway to heaven, supreme accomplishment is found; here, supreme passage is granted. All meditation, study, and giving become inexhaustible. The sins accumulated in previous births over a thousand lifetimes are washed away. Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Shudras, those of mixed castes, worms, foreigners, others of impure birth, insects, ants, all beasts and birds, makers of lotus garlands, and birds bearing Garuda’s banner—whether without desire or with desire, or even those who have come to the sacred place—sages, gods, accomplished ones, Sadhyas, Yakshas, and hosts of Maruts—all are welcome. At midday, the hosts of deities make their presence here. Those who fast at the gateway to heaven and have mastered their senses, those devoted to giving food, and men who give jewels and land—here, the perfected ones, the great souls, the sages, and the ancestors also dwell. The god of gods, Hari himself, having assumed a fourfold form, abides here. The eternal four-faced one, having abandoned the world of Brahma, is also established here. Shiva, dwelling on Mount Kailāsa, is present here as well. Thus, this sacred place stands as the gateway to heaven, a site of supreme merit and divine presence.