Shakambari is an incarnation of Ishwari, consort to Shiva. She is called
"The Bearer of the Greens." The Demon Durgam had acquired all four
books of total knowledge (The Veda) from Lord Brahma through penance. He became
very arrogant and started tormenting the whole world. As a consequence, it did
not rain for one hundred years and the whole world was hit by a very severe
drought.
The rishis and munis took refuge in the caves of the Himalayas and the
Goddess appeared in front of them. She had countless eyes that gave her the
name Satakshi, and was carrying grain, cereals, vegetables, greens, fruits and
other herbs and because of this was called Shakambari. The goddess was so moved
by their plight that tears rolled down from her eyes for nine continuous days
and nights. The tears became a river, which ended the drought. At last the
goddess Shakambari killed Durgam with her trident and recovered the Vedas from
his possession. Ishwari is also knowns as Durga because she killed the demon
Durgam.
The story of Shakambari is told in Chapter 28 of the Devi Bhagavatam
Purana, titled, "On the glory of Shatakshi Devi", and also in The
Devi Mahatmyam.
Shakambari Navratri is observed with great gusto at Shakambari temples
across India, especially in states like Karnataka - it is celebrated in
Shakambari temples located in Badami. It is popular also in Himachal Pradesh,
Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and some other states where Shakambari Temples are
located. In Nagewadi, Maharashtra, Kumbhoj near Satara, Sharanpur in Uttar
Pradesh and Sambhar in Rajasthan.