Amarakaṇṭaka (Amarakantaka) is a sacred site of pilgrimage. The lake Jvalā (Jwala)and the river Viśalyakaraṇī (Visalyakarani) are located here. Situated near the land of Kaliṅga, Amarakaṇṭaka is a siddhakṣetra, famed across the three worlds. Practicing tapasyā (tapasya; penance) in this place, one may attain great puṇya (punya; virtue). It is also a place well-recommended for performing tarpaṇa (tarpana; offering water to the deceased forefathers) for the forefathers. God Maheśvara (Maheswara) and Maheśvarī (Maheswari) reside here. The associates of Vāsuki (Vasuki) also live here.

According to Skandapurāṇa (Skandapurana), the first flow of Narmadā (Narmada), emerging from Amarakaṇṭaka, is called Kapiladhārā(Kapiladhara) falls. Many people consider this Kapiladhārā to be a sub-flow of Narmadā.

Amarakaṇṭaka is located on the Mikula mountain, in the land of Gandoyana in Nagpur. The Mikula mountain joins the two mountain ranges, Vindhya and Satpura. Amarakaṇṭaka is also known as Somaparvata or Surathādri (Surathadri). In Matsyapurāṇa (Matsyapurana), it is said that once Amarakaṇṭaka was considered to be more sacred than Kurukṣetra (Kurukshetra).

In another opinion, Amarakaṇṭka is located on Mountain Mālyavāna (Malyavana). In Kūrmapurāṇa (Kurmapurana) it is said that Amarakaṇṭaka denotes the western frontier of Kaliṅga (Kalinga). This mountain is one of the seven prastha(s) of Himālaya (Himlaya). Devaprastha is located at the northern boundary of Amarakaṇṭaka.