The Skanda Purana is one of the largest of the Hindu Puranas and contains an enormous collection of stories, teachings, sacred places, pilgrimage traditions, and accounts of Hindu deities. Although named for Skanda, or Kartikeya, the text encompasses many aspects of Hindu religious life, including devotion to Shiva, Vishnu, and the Goddess. Its extensive descriptions of holy places make pilgrimage an important theme throughout the work. The Skanda Purana offers readers a broad view of the mythology, sacred geography, and devotional practices of Hindu India.