Asura Baka, the son of Yastli, was a fearsome demon who drove the gods (Devtas) out of Meruparvata and later pursued them to the Himalayas. The gods then came to Shreemal, where they performed a yajna (sacred ritual). A deity emerged from the yajna kunda and, at the request of the Devtas, transformed herself into an ordinary woman.

Karala, a servant of Baka approached the deity with malicious intent but was killed by the strike of her toe. His wife who was witness to this fled to inform Baka, who then attempted to subdue the deity. In response, the deity transformed herself into a warrior, and seven other goddesses—Narsinghi, Varahi, Brahmi, Vaisnavi, Kumarika, and Gauri—emerged from the yajna kunda, all armed with powerful weapons. The fierce goddess Chamunda ultimately split Bakasura in two.

The gods, grateful for their victory, honored Chamunda, who was to be worshiped in Shreemal as Bakasthalimata, while the seven goddesses would be known as Konakidevis or Kondanayamata.