Archive · 10 Sep 2026
Bihar’s 400-Year-Old Van Devi Temple Inspires Film Vvaan
Vvaan: Force of the Forest is a new film starring Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia.
Its story is inspired by a temple in Bihar called Van Devi Temple.
The temple is believed to be about 400 years old.
It is in a forest near Bihta and Patna.
People worship the forest goddess there using a sacred stone.
Local stories say the goddess protects the forest and nearby villagers.
One legend says a devotee named Vidyanand Mishra brought the sacred stone there after seeing the goddess in a dream.
Some stories about the temple come from oral tradition rather than written historical records.
Vvaan: Force of the Forest is inspired by folklore linked to Bihar’s Van Devi Temple.
The forest shrine is believed to have been established in the 16th century and is around 400 years old.
The temple lies near Bihta, about 35 kilometers west of Patna, where three villages meet.
Devotees worship Van Devi as a sacred stone pind rather than a traditional idol.
Local tradition says visitors were forbidden from entering the forest after sunset because of mysterious occurrences.
- Who
- The film’s cast and creators, including Sidharth Malhotra, Tamannaah Bhatia, writer Arunabh Kumar, and director Deepak Kumar Mishra, are connected to the story; local devotees worship Van Devi.
- What
- Vvaan: Force of the Forest is inspired by folklore associated with Bihar’s Van Devi Temple.
- When
- The shrine is believed to date to the 16th century and is described as around 400 years old.
- Where
- The Van Devi Temple is near Bihta, approximately 35 kilometers west of Patna, at the meeting point of Amhara, Raghopur, and Kanchanpur villages.
- Why
- The filmmakers drew on local legends about the forest, its guardian deity, and traditions forbidding visits after sunset.
- Film
- Vvaan: Force of the Forest
- Lead actors
- Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia
- Temple age
- Believed to be around 400 years old
- Location
- Near Bihta, about 35 kilometers west of Patna, Bihar
- Worship
- Van Devi is worshipped as a sacred stone pind
- Local tradition
- People were traditionally forbidden from visiting the forest after sunset
- Origin legend
- Vidyanand Mishra is said to have established the sacred stone after a dream involving the goddess