O noble one, listen as I recount the glory of the tīrthas, beginning with the sacred Puṣkara and including all the countless holy places upon this earth. Their numbers are beyond measure—thousands upon thousands, and hundreds of millions more. Even the celestial Kinnaras, dwelling on the mountain, pour down showers of fine, mist-like drops in reverence to these sacred sites. Truly, their multitude is so vast that I cannot know or name them all. Still, I shall speak of the principal and most renowned among them, and of the observances to be performed at these holy places. These observances are well established, and whoever follows them with devotion attains a state like that of Śambhu himself. Especially, those who perform these rites in the month of Vaiśākha, towards its close, receive their fruits within five days. It is said that one should bathe particularly in Avantī during the Mādhava period. Bathing there according to the prescribed rules, and observing the annual vow, purifies a person completely. Such a devotee enjoys abundant pleasures and is honored in the world of Śiva. This greatness, O subduer of foes, increases one’s devotion to Śiva, brings lasting fame, and augments all merit. Thus concludes the account of the greatness of Avantīkshetra, as related in the dialogue between Vyāsa and Sanatkumāra, within the Avantī section of the Skanda Purāṇa. Turning now to a new inquiry, salutations to Śrī Gaṇeśa! O revered one, tell me carefully of those sacred places where the rites of śrāddha are to be performed. These holy sites have been frequented by gods and gandharvas, and visited by sages since ancient times. Among them shines the goddess Yamunā, daughter of the Sun, purifier of the worlds. So too are Candrabhāgā, Vitastā, and the sacred Narmadā at Amarakantaka, as well as Kedāra, Puṣkara, and Kāyāvarohaṇa. Within these places dwells Śrī Mahākāla, the very fire that consumes the wealth of sin. This field grants both enjoyment and liberation, and has the power to destroy the sins of the Kali age. Among all sacred fords and liṅgas, this field, O great goddess, is especially dear to me. There exists a supremely meritorious place here that removes all sins. The Nīlagaṅgā is counted as the fourth and foremost among the celebrated rivers. O Goddess, it bestows three times the merit of the Gaṅgā and grants the fruits of dharma, artha, kāma, and mokṣa—the four aims of life. Here stand the perfected liṅgas, bestowers of both worldly enjoyment and liberation. The place is filled with eleven Rudras and twelve Ādityas, as is well remembered. When I journeyed to this auspicious forest of Mahākāla, I saw that this field, a yojana in extent, was filled with all these sacred presences. O Goddess, let me describe in detail those places which indeed remove all sins. The foremost among them is Agastyeśvara, renowned on earth as the first. Umā then asked: How did this place come to be known as Agastyeśvara? It is famed for dispelling all sins and granting the desired fruits. Long ago, the gods were defeated by the Dānavas. Stripped of their enthusiasm and sovereignty, they wandered the earth, dejected and forlorn. At some point, those gods beheld a being radiant with the luster of the sun. Enveloped in splendor, he shone before them, and the gods offered their respects to him, for in their defeat at the hands of the Dānavas, they had been cast down from heaven. Addressed by the gods in their distress, the sage Agastya became angry. By his blazing rays, the Dānavas were consumed, burnt up by the radiance of Agastya. Thus were the Daityas scorched and the gods delivered, and the place became celebrated as Agastyeśvara, where sin is dispelled and wishes are fulfilled.