In the quiet village of Badgaon in Bihar’s Nalanda district, a weathered black‑stone statue of Lord Buddha has become an unlikely magnet for pilgrims from across Asia. Known locally as Teliya Baba, the figure attracts visitors from countries where Buddhism is deeply rooted, even though it sits far from India’s major tourist circuits.
The statue, now housed in a modest temple 15 kilometres from Bihar Sharif, was unearthed during an excavation decades ago. Temple priest Shaligram Pandey says it dates back to the era when Nalanda was one of the world’s greatest centres of learning. Students trained in sculpture are believed to have crafted it, and locals regard it as a rare surviving example of that artistic tradition.
What makes Teliya Baba particularly revered is the belief that offerings of mustard oil, coconut oil or ghee can grant wishes. Devotees queue to touch the base of the statue, which Pandey says once depicted the Buddha seated on seven lotus flowers. Much of the original detail, however, was lost to history.
Local lore holds that the 12th‑century invader Bakhtiyar Khilji attempted to seize the statue while destroying Nalanda University, whose vast library is said to have burned for months. Unable to move the heavy stone figure, he allegedly damaged it before abandoning the effort. Over time, the statue was buried under soil and farmland until a farmer’s plough struck its matted hair, prompting a fresh excavation and its return to public view.
Since then, stories of answered prayers have strengthened its reputation. One tale tells of parents who prayed for their malnourished child to become healthy “like Buddha”, and when the child recovered, villagers began referring to the statue as Kaal Bhairav or Teliya Baba.
Despite its growing fame, visitor numbers have dipped this year. Temple caretakers say the devastating floods in Thailand — a country with strong Buddhist ties — have reduced international arrivals. Around ten local families rely on the site for their livelihood, selling small black Buddha statues and ritual items to pilgrims.
Even so, the temple remains a point of quiet devotion, blending archaeology, folklore and faith. For many who travel to Badgaon, Teliya Baba is not just a relic of Nalanda’s past but a living symbol of resilience, rediscovery and spiritual hope.
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