Vanadevatas are female spirits. They called the ‘Hindu Spirits of Trees’, ‘Vedic Tree Spirits’ or ‘Hindu Tree Spirits’. They are gods of the forests and woods and keep a careful watch over them. In other words they are called the guardians of trees. It is believed that if the trees are cut down then it is possible that their revenge upon the person could be awful.
In Hinduism, the term used for deity, is Deva. The term Devatas is considered a smaller one but can also mean ‘the gods’. Devatas are of two kinds mainly, female devatas and male devatas. The gods of spirits, forests, trees are considered to be vanadevatas. In rural India, the village deities are called Grama Devatas which are also worshipped for protecting the forests and trees in the village areas. People in rural India have always adored trees with respect and devotion and pray to their lovable and pleasantly pastoral gods called the Vanadevatas.
Aranyani is a goddess called the ‘Goddess of the forests and animals that live within them’. Her symbols are animals, trees, bells and anklets. Her consort is Revanta and she rides a horse. Aranyani is described as being unafraid of remote places like the quietness of the jungles. Without becoming lonely or afraid she moves away into the jungles and forests, far away from the civilized world. The goddess is worshipped for her ability to feed animals and humans, both. The other deities that resemble Vanadevata are Aranyani. The Aranya Devi Temple is dedicated in the name of Aranyani in Arrah in Bihar State.
