The Koṭitīrtha, the tīrtha of ten million, is the best known bathing tīrtha in Guptakshetra at the Mahīsāgara Saṃgama. The name koṭi (ten million) points to the teaching of the Kaumārika Khaṇḍa that all ten million tīrthas of Bhārata are present together in this one pool. A bath here gives the same puṇya (merit) as bathing in every sacred water on earth.

Name and meaning

The name Koṭitīrtha means “the tīrtha of ten million”. The Kaumārika Khaṇḍa teaches that the power of all ten crore (koṭi) tīrthas of Bhārata is gathered at this single bathing place within Guptakshetra. One bath in the Koṭitīrtha gives the merit of all of them. This teaching puts the Koṭitīrtha at the top of the tīrthas of the Mahīsāgara Saṃgama. (Chapter 54)

Bhagavān Kṛshṇa’s bath

Bhagavān Kṛshṇa came on pilgrimage to the Mahīsāgara Saṃgama with Ugrasena, Vasudeva, Babhru, Rāma (the son of Rukmiṇī), Yuyudhāna and other companions. He chose the Koṭitīrtha for his ritual bath.

After bathing he worshipped Jayāditya. Then he worshipped the mūrti (sacred image) of Nārada with deep devotion. On this occasion Ugrasena asked Bhagavān Kṛshṇa about the nature of Nārada, and Bhagavān Kṛshṇa gave his well known account of the curses of Daksha. (Chapter 54)

Sources

Skanda Mahā Purāṇa, Māheśvara Khaṇḍa, Kaumārika Khaṇḍa, Chapter 54