 The scriptures Skanda Purana and Padma Purana state that the demon Durgamasura harassed the local people constantly.Answering the prayers of the Devas (demi-gods) who appealed to God through a sacrifice to protect them from Durgamasura, the Lord directed the goddess Shakambari to help the people.The goddess appeared through the fire of the Yagna (fire-sacrifice) in the form of the goddess Shakambari.