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Some sects use kalpa bheda or manvantara bheda to explain contradictions in the events narrated differently in different puranas and when there exists no way to reconcile them.

Does such explanation have any scriptural basis?

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We find another reference apart from what is already quoted by user YDS.

In Skanda Purana, Vaishnava Khanda, Vaisakhamasa mahatmya(section 7), 13th Chapter. from verse 69. This talks about differences because of different yugas and kalpas.

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The translation is: enter image description here

UPDATE:

Padma Purana, Patala Khanda, Chapter 116 describes Ramayana of a former Kalpa.

9- 13 . Seeing the king comfortably seated, that brahmana Sambhu then said proper words : "0 best king, you, honoured by all, remain here. What is the thing in your heart i.e. what is your desire ?" The descendant of Raghu, having heard the brahmana's words, desired to hear a story. His clever words were just then heard by all. "I desire to hear a wonderful tale referring to me or telling about the destruction of the demons ."

Then the king said this : "The murder of Kumbhakarna took place first and Ravana was killed afterwards. Who is this best brahmana who, causing ungodliness (to spread) among all the people, narrates it in a different way after having gone to the king's place ? Should he be punished or honoured by me?"

Then Jambavat spoke to this best of the Raghus about the story .. "This is not your Ramayana (i.e. not your account as told by Valmiki). This is recognised as prepared (by someone else) . 0 lord, now I shall tell it in detail. Listen to it. It was formerly heard by me from the son of the lotus-born (Brahma) .' ' Requesting Jambavat, Ramacandra said (these) words : Sri Rama said : 14- 1 8 . Narrate that tale of the past. I have curiosity to listen to it. Who propounded it and who knew it?

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Yes, it's mentioned in scriptures:

Shiva Purana: RUDRASAMHITA: KUMARAKHANDA: Chapter 13. Birth of Ganesha

Kalpa Bheda in sanskrit Shiva Purana https://archive.org/details/ShivaMahaPuranaNagPublishers/page/n167

Brahma said:

  1. Due to the difference of Kalpas, the story of the birth of GaneSa is told in different ways. According to one account he is born of the great lord. His head looked at by Sani was cut off and an elephant’s head was put on him.
  2. Now we narrate the story of the birth of GaneSa in Svetakalpa when his head was cut off by the merciful Siva.

Ramcharitmanas 1.33:

नाना भाँति राम अवतारा। रामायन सत कोटि अपारा।।

कलपभेद हरिचरित सुहाए। भाँति अनेक मुनीसन्ह गाए।।

Lord Råma has bodied Himself forth in diverse ways and that the Råmåyana, though consisting of a thousand million verses, is yet infinite. Great sages have diversely sung the charming stories of Lord Hari, relating as they do to different Kalpas or cycles.

Related

What does the expression "kalpa bheda" mean?

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  • In Vedartha Sangraha Acharya Ramanuja describes kalpa bheda. There is surely basis in the puranas themselves.
    – subash rajaa
    Commented Oct 24, 2018 at 18:33
  • @subashrajaa I didn't get ur comment...pls be more specific...
    – YDS
    Commented Oct 24, 2018 at 19:21
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    Ramcharitmanas is a 16th century work. He means there should be older references from Puranas.
    – Say No To Censorship
    Commented Oct 24, 2018 at 21:33
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    I need an older reference from either puranas or itihasas.
    – user16618
    Commented Oct 24, 2018 at 22:51
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    I added one more reference.
    – user16618
    Commented Oct 25, 2018 at 8:11
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Narada Purana mentions that the stories extant in the puranas are from different Kalpas.Thereby giving scriptural basis to the concept of kalpabheda.

Narada Purana IV.92.5

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