The Puranas (or Purāṇas) are, in fact, ancient texts of Hinduism, a very important part of the whole Hindu scriptural tradition. These texts give smooth wisdom through their narrative stories, dialogues, and philosophical teachings to anyone willing to learn about and practice Hinduism. Let's see how special these texts are in Hinduism. What Are the Puranas?

Sanskrit 'Purana' means 'old' or 'ancient.' These awards cover the all-in-one deep encyclopaedia of Hindu mythology, philosophy, history, and culture in narrative expression. There are 18 accepted Mahāpurāṇas and several Upapurāṇas.

Matsya purana (53. 65) states:

    "That which speaks of the creation, dissolution, dynasties, time periods of Manu, and genealogies is called by the wise as Purāṇa."

The Five Characteristics of Puranas

According to Vishnu Purāṇa (3.6.25), each Purāṇa must contain, in theory, five subjects (pañcalakṣaṇa):

sarga--primary creation (the way in which the universe was created),
pratisarga--secondary creation (the destruction and recreation of worlds),
vaṃśa--genealogy (the family lineages of both gods and sages),
manvantara--the cosmic time-cycles (an enumeration of the various eras of humanity),
vaṃśānucarita--dynastic histories (stories of kings and royal dynasties). Major Purnas and Their Specifics

The 18 major Purānas are divided according to the three prime deities:

Krsna-oriented Puranas:

    Vishnu Purana
    Bhagavata Purana (principal, comprehending the popular Krsna stories)
    Narada Purana

Shivistic Puranas:

    Shiva Purana
    Linga Purana
    Skanda Purana
    Agni Purana
    Kurma Purana
    Matsya Purana

Puranas devoted to Brahma:

    Brahma Purana
    Brahmaka Purana
    Brahma Vaivarta Purana
    Markandeya Purana
    Bhavishya Purana
    Vamana Purana

Importance of Puranas in the Understanding of Hinduism

The Bhāgavata Purāṇa (1.1.3) states:
 

"This Bhagavata Purana is brilliant as the sun, and it has arisen just after the departure of Lord Krishna for His own abode. Those who have been deprived of sight by the concealing blackness of ignorance in the age of Kali will be enabled to see by this Purāṇa."

As you've seen, there will be many benefits to those who enter Hinduism from the Purāṇas:

    Accessible Philosophy: They modify complex Vedic philosophy into captivating stories that are understandable to everybody.
    Cultural Context: They underlie most of the Hindu festivals, rituals, and practices.
    Ethical Guidance: Through the narrative accounts of both divine and human characters, they demonstrated dharma (the right way of living).
    Devotional Mechanism: They presented bhakti (devotion) as a spiritual mode that can be accessed by all, regardless of caste or gender.

Get Started with Purnic Study  

For those who want to learn about Hinduism, the first Prakhanda to read is:

 Bhāgavata Purāṇa - Above all, book 10 contains the most cherished stories about Krishna; see also the verse in BG 4.7-8 which clarifies why divine incarnations matter:  

"Whenever there is a decline in righteousness and an increase in unrighteousness, I manifest Myself. For protection of the righteous, for the punishment of the evil-doers, and for the reestablishment of the principles of religion, I appear millennium after millennium." 

Vishnu Purāṇa - Strong cosmology and theology. 

Shiva Purāṇa - Extreme principles concerning consciousness and transcendence.

Modern, user-friendly translations with commentary by scholars like Bibek Debroy or Ramesh Menon can direct you through these texts without getting lost in their antiquated language.
Conclusion

The Purāṇas represent the creative effort of Hinduism to render profound philosophical thought narrative. As the Padma Purāṇa (1.62.2-4) states:
 

"Whatever is given in the Veda is by Him expressed in the Itihāsa-Purāṇa. The Vedas fear such an ill-educated person--'he would hurt me; the Purāṇas are not to be feared in that way."

By reading these sacred texts, you will learn not only of the gods and goddesses of Hinduism but also of the profound philosophical insights that guide millions along their spiritual paths over thousands of years.