From folklore to big screen: The story of Van Devi Temple in Bihta

The upcoming Bollywood film The Vvaan: Force of the Forrest has reignited interest in Van Devi Temple, a centuries-old shrine tucked away near Patna. This small temple is steeped in local folklore and traditions, which has now found its way onto the silver screen through the lead roles of Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia.

Located in Bihta, around 35 km from Patna, the temple sits in a rural landscape that, according to local accounts, was once covered by dense forest. Unlike many other temples, Van Devi is not represented by an elaborate idol, but rather by a sacred pind. Interestingly, the shrine is also associated with Maa Vindhyavasini of Vindhyachal.

Local traditions have long described the temple as being several centuries old, with origins dating back to the 16th century. However, there is no definitive archaeological record to confirm this, and the 16th-century origin is understood to be part of the temple's oral history. The folklore surrounding the shrine holds that the forest around the temple was once considered dangerous after dark, leading to a local tradition that people should not enter the forest after sunset.

Writer Arunabh Kumar, who visited the temple and spoke to locals, priests, and villagers, said that the folklore inspired the film. In an interview with ANI, he revealed that the story behind the temple is that it was built in the 16th century. The forest around the temple was once a place where people were forbidden to enter after sunset, a tradition that still exists today.

Kumar told Ekta Kapoor about the story two years ago, and together with director Deepak Mishra, they found it exciting enough to be made into a big-screen film.

What makes a visit to Van Devi Temple interesting is its setting and the living traditions that surround it. It offers a glimpse into a lesser-known side of Bihar, where religious practices remain deeply intertwined with village life and local folklore. The after-sunset restriction, while possibly superstitious, should be understood in this context as a longstanding local tradition. There is no evidence suggesting supernatural activity takes place at night within the temple grounds.