Chokhudan

The exact translation of the word 'Chokhudan' means donation of eyes but here it means 'giving life' or bringing it to consciousness. It is said eyes are windows to one's soul. After the clay idols are finished, the master craftsman draws the eyes on the day of the Mahalaya to make the idol come alive. It is said it takes years to master the drawing of eyes by a craftsman. Due to commercial reasons I guess this ritual is seldom followed now as but yes only a master craftsman still draws the eyes.

This story is based say about 30/35 years ago when boys were still boys, unaffected by technology and still loved to play on the playground, thrilled to get a pair of new leather shoes even if it was to be a part of school uniform and walked stiffly wearing them so that they don't crease.

It is also to be noted that in the households, especially in rural areas where Durga Puja took place, even till some years ago the craftsmen came to the household, stayed with the family to make the idol. This was a practice for generations each family having their own craftsman, a family tie up but I don't think with so much of commercialism the practice any longer exists...