Skanda Purana, one of the major eighteen Puranas, a Hindu religious text, is the largest Purana, and is devoted mainly to the life and deed of Kartikeya (also called Skanda), a son of Shiva and Parvati. It also contains a number of myths associated with Shiva, and the holy places associated with him. The Puranas was recited by Skanada, and is available in distinct parts, sometimes fragmented too. It also describes the Shaiva tradition in Hemakuta region (near Vijayanagar) of Karnataka, Kashi part describes the Shaiva tradition of Varanasi, and the Utkal part states about Shaiva tradition of Orissa.

Largest of all the Puranas. Contains eighty eight thousand and one hundred Shlokas (stanzas). Has seven parts- Maheshwar, Vaishnava, Brahma, Kashi, Avanti, Nagar and Prabhasa. Purana got its name from Skand (Kartikeya) the son of Lord Shiva. Birth of Skand; its reason and effects constitute the main theme. Kartikeya was the commander of the gods’ army and had killed the demon Tarkasura.

Maheshwar Khand: Description of Lord Shiva’s glory. Installation of Shiva linga in Kashi and Avanti (Ujjain). Description of the life and plays of Lord Vishnu.

Vaishnava Khand: Tales related to Lord Vishnu’s life and plays. His virtues. Description of holy places of pilgrimage- Purushottam Tirth (Jagannath Puri), Badrikashrama, Heratkeshwar, Avantika Prabhasa, and Dwarika etc. Benefits of fasting. Glorious effects of ritual bathing in Kartik, Margasheersh and Vaishaka months. Description of subjects like knowledge, asceticism, devotion, moral conduct, cleanliness, Varnashrama (four phases of life), Pativrat (abidance to the spouse), Yagya, donation, expiation, Shraddh (offering to the dead ancestors). Description of various places of pilgrimage.

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