According to Hindu mythology, Mahishasura was a combination of both an Asura and a Mahisha(buffalo). He intended to annihilate all the Devas since they were the arch enemies of Asuras.The legend of Mahishasura is important in Hindu mythology since it was to slay him that Goddess Durga was born. Hence his story is an important part of shaktiism which venerates Goddess Durga.