[1] However, the modern surviving manuscripts of Vamana Purana are more strongly centered on Shiva, while containing chapters that revere Vishnu and other Hindu gods and goddesses.

[1][4] Further, the text hardly has the character of a Purana,[3] and is predominantly a collection of Mahatmyas (travel guides)[5][a] to many Shiva-related places in India with legends and mythology woven in.

[6] The extant manuscripts of Vamana Purana exist in various versions, likely very different from the original, and show signs of revision over time and regions.

[9][10] Both these versions lack the Brhad-vamana with four samhitas, which is mentioned in the text, but is believed to have been lost to history.

[1][13] The text includes Saromahatmya, which is a 28 chapter guide[13] to the tirthas, rivers and forests of the region around Thanesar and Kurukshetra in modern Haryana, as well as sites in modern eastern Punjab (India).