Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia's The Vvaan: Force of the Forest takes inspiration from the folklore surrounding Maa Van Devi Temple in Bihta, Bihar. The temple is known for its old traditions, forest legends and a mysterious rule linked to sunset.

The makers also visited the temple while developing the story. Writer Arunabh Kumar and director Deepak Kumar Mishra met priests, villagers and locals to understand the stories associated with Van Devi.

Where Is Maa Van Devi Temple?

Maa Van Devi Temple is located near Bihta in Patna district. It is around 35 km from Patna.

Unlike many temples, the shrine does not have a large idol of the goddess. Van Devi is worshipped in the form of a sacred pind.

The temple stands in a rural area that was once believed to be surrounded by dense forest. Its location has also added to the many stories linked to the shrine.

(Image: Instagram/@arunabhkumar)

How Old Is The Van Devi Temple?

The temple is believed to be around 350 to 400 years old. Some local accounts and stories shared by the filmmakers trace its origins to the 16th century.

However, there is no confirmed archaeological record that proves its exact age. The 16th-century origin is part of the temple's oral history and local tradition.

The Legend Behind Van Devi

According to local folklore, the story of Van Devi is linked to a devotee named Vidyanand Mishra from Raghopur.

He was believed to be a devotee of Maa Vindhyavasini at Vindhyachal. As he grew older, travelling to Vindhyachal became difficult for him.

Legend says that the goddess appeared in his dream and asked him to bring a part of her sacred pind back to his village.

Mishra is said to have followed her instructions. He brought the sacred pind back and placed it in a forest near his home.

At the time, there was no grand temple. The pind was kept inside a small hut.

Since the shrine was located in the forest, the goddess came to be known as Van Devi, meaning Goddess of the Forest.

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From A Small Hut To A Temple

The shrine slowly developed over the years.

Local accounts connect one important chapter in its history to saint Bhagwan Das Tyagi. He is said to have visited Amhara in 1958 for a yajna and helped give the structure around the sacred pind a more formal temple shape.

Another phase of construction began decades later, in 1997. Despite the changes, the goddess is still worshipped as a pind rather than a traditional idol.

(Image: Instagram/@arunabhkumar)

Why Is The Temple Closed After Sunset?

One of the most unusual traditions linked to Van Devi is the restriction on entering the forest and temple after sunset.

According to local folklore, people were traditionally warned against entering the area after dark. Once the temple closes, the priest leaves, and nobody is believed to stay inside.

There is a local belief that Maa Van Devi remains inside the temple at night and moves around the premises. This has added to the mysterious reputation of the shrine.

There is no evidence to establish that anything supernatural happens inside the temple after dark.

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How Did Van Devi Inspire The Vvaan?

The story of a forest that people were not allowed to enter after sunset caught Arunabh Kumar's attention. In an interview with ANI, he said he later shared the idea with director Deepak Kumar Mishra.

The two eventually took the concept to producer Ektaa Kapoor. According to Kumar, she felt the story could work as a big-screen movie.

(Image: Instagram/@arunabhkumar)

The filmmakers' visit to the temple also helped them understand its local stories and beliefs. Vvaan uses this folklore as the starting point for its own story.

However, The Vvaan should not be seen as a historical account of the temple. It takes inspiration from the legends and traditions surrounding Van Devi and turns them into a fictional cinematic story.

When Does The Vvaan Release?

The Vvaan: Force of the Forest stars Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia. Directed by Deepak Kumar Mishra, the film also features Manish Paul, Shweta Tiwari, Sunil Grover and Anup Soni.

The movie releases in theatres on September 25, 2026. 

FAQ

1. Is the forest temple in The Vvaan based on a real place?

Yes. The movie is inspired by the Maa Van Devi Temple located near Bihta,
an ancient forest shrine with a 400-year-old history.

2. Why is no one allowed near the temple after sunset?

Local tradition strictly forbids anyone—including priests—from remaining in the forest or temple after dark. According to folklore, Maa Van Devi herself roams the temple grounds at night.