At the northern gate stands the revered Dardureśvara, a sacred site proclaimed for its holiness. Within the delightful Mahākālavana, many purifying shrines are renowned, their fame echoing among the devotees. O Vyāsa, within this Mahākālavana, the number of liṅgas is beyond counting—so numerous are these symbols of Śiva that their total remains unknown. Each sacred ford, or tīrtha, within this region bears the name of its presiding deity, and likewise, the nine auspicious planets are honored with their own shrines, as has been described, O sinless Vyāsa. Among these, the Sun is worshipped as Narāditya, and the Moon as Someśvara. Bṛhaspatīśvara stands for Bṛhaspati (Jupiter), and Śukreśvara is Śiva as Śukra (Venus). The planets themselves bestow kingdoms and take them away, for such is their power. Therefore, after bathing at the holy places dedicated to the planets, a man should worship them with devotion. Thus, Vyāsa, I have described to you the gods and their sacred abodes. In times of great affliction caused by the planets, in poverty, or in terrible distress, those excellent men who faithfully perform worship within the sacred field's enclosure find relief. A sonless man gains a son, and a poor man attains wealth. His lineage becomes unending, and he is honored in the realm of Śiva. The greatness of the Avanti tīrtha is pure and in accordance with the Vedas. Yet, O best of knowers of Brahman, you ask again: how many tīrthas exist here, O virtuous one? The dialogues between Umā and Maheśvara, and also those of the wise Nārada, have touched on these mysteries. Tell us in detail about the tīrthas that exist. Thus, O sinless one, Nārada once questioned me in this very way, O brāhmaṇa. Now I shall tell you, O virtuous one, about the tīrthas that exist. From Puṣkara onward, and all others found upon the earth, their numbers reach countless thousands and hundreds of millions, O noble one. On the mountain, the Kinnaras pour down a shower of tiny drops like mist, signifying the abundance of these holy places. Indeed, O noble one, I do not know the number of tīrthas on earth, for they are beyond reckoning. Nevertheless, I shall tell you the principal ones, O noble one. These are the well-known observances that must be performed, O subduer of foes. Whoever performs them properly truly becomes like Śambhu himself. The fruit of these observances is obtained within five days at the end of the month of Vaiśākha. One should especially bathe in Avantī during Mādhava as well. Having bathed at the holy place according to the prescribed rule and observed the annual vow, one is purified. Such a devotee enjoys abundant pleasures and is honored in the world of Śiva. This greatness increases devotion to Śiva, brings fame, and augments one’s merit. Thus ends the seventieth chapter, named "The Description of the Greatness of Avantīkṣetra," in the dialogue between Vyāsa and Sanatkumāra, within the Avantī section of the fifth book of the eighty-one-thousand-verse Śrī Skanda Mahāpurāṇa. Salutations to Śrī Gaṇeśa! Now, tell me with care about those places where śrāddha—the rites for the ancestors—should be performed. These places have been frequented by gods and gandharvas, and visited by sages. Among them, the goddess Yamunā, daughter of the Sun, is the purifier of the worlds. So too are Candrabhāgā, Vitastā, and the sacred Narmadā at Amarakantaka. Other holy sites include Kedāra, Puṣkara, and also Kāyāvarohaṇa. There abides Śrī Mahākāla, the fire that consumes the wealth of sin. This sacred field grants both enjoyment and liberation and destroys the sins of the Kali age for all who seek its refuge.