Let me tell you of the sacred acts and holy places whose greatness is celebrated in the Avanti region, as described in the Skanda Purāṇa. One who bathes the revered Gargeśvara with sesame oil, or who fasts devoutly on the fourteenth day and offers water mixed with sesame seeds, accrues immense merit. If a person, with a pure and devoted heart, gives a thousand cows in charity, or worships Kāmeśvara with fragrant ointments such as saffron, they are blessed indeed. The devout who bow to Cūḍāmaṇi on the ninth day of the bright fortnight of Kārtika, or who worship Caṇḍīśvara while fasting on the dark eighth day, also earn great spiritual benefit. Approaching these holy shrines of Maheśvara—Gargeśvara, Kāmeśvara, Cūḍāmaṇiśvara, Caṇḍīśvara, and others—brings profound merit to the pilgrim. Thus concludes the twenty-fifth chapter, which extols the greatness of these sacred places in the Avanti region. Then, a disciple respectfully asks, “O revered one, tell me about the measurement and extent of the great Kāla forest.” The sage replies, “Listen attentively. The Kāla forest stretches for a yojana in every direction, adorned on all sides. Its gateways gleam, decorated with golden pots, and mighty gatekeepers, appointed by Lord Śiva himself, stand watch. In the east, Piṅgaleśa, appearing in the form of a radiant child like fire, stands guard. In the south, the great yogi Kāyāvarohaṇeśvara, appointed by Maheśa, protects the region of Varuṇa. Empowered by Śaṃkara, he accomplishes all tasks with ease. Those who depart from this world are carried to Rudrapura in celestial chariots that fulfill all desires. After bowing to the five Lords, both in reverse and direct order, a person is freed from all sins, even those accumulated over countless births. With this very body, such a blessed soul attains the world of Rudra. Now hear further, for I shall tell you of that which destroys all sins. One should perform the sacred śrāddha rites and bow to Mahākāla and Īśāna, the Lord. Next, approach Gaṇeśa, known here as Piṅgaleśvara. Then, having reached Mahākāleśvara and bathed again with senses controlled, the devotee should spend the night in the direction of Īśāna, observing a night-long fast. On the twelfth day, after bathing in the morning as before, one should continue the observances. On the thirteenth day, worship Bilveśa in the west. On the new moon, pure and freshly bathed, one should worship Mahākāleśvara, offering singing, dancing, and other acts of devotion, then bowing down and humbly asking forgiveness. The devotee should feed five Brāhmaṇas devoted to Śiva, honoring them with gifts of gold and nine fine garments. In addition, a horse should be given to Bilveśvara and a bull to Uttareśvara. Whoever performs these acts, O Vyāsa, attains wondrous merit. With his ancestors—both paternal and maternal—and his entire lineage, he rejoices in heaven. He earns the merit of having circumambulated the earth with its seven continents. Moreover, whoever beholds the goddess Padmāvatī and worships her with lotuses, or visits the golden shrine and offers flowers shining like gold, or beholds Avantinī, the goddess renowned in the three worlds, or worships Amarāvatī with devotion and lotuses—such a person is truly blessed and attains the highest spiritual rewards.