Chokkhudaan

Durga puja is the principle religious festival of West Bengal. Months before the puja the potters at Kumartuli set up their studios and start building larger than life images of Devi Durga slaying the demon, Mahisasura.

As puja approaches the work also progresses at a frenzied pace. Mahalaya is an important day in making of the images. On this auspicious day of the last full moon before puja potters do “Chokkhu daan” (gifting of eyes). On this day the senior artisan paints the lotus petal shaped eyes of the image thus symbolically breathing life into the image.

While the artisans breathe life into the image in their studios the devotees perform “pranpratistha” on the day of Saptami. After the nabapatrika snan (bathing of kola bou) the bathed and decked kola bou is used as a medium to carry the life of Ma Durga which is later infused in her through worship and “chokkhu daan”.

Shalini,

Thanks for this beautiful post!!

Can you let me know about the "bahana"s?

Ma Durga’s vehicle is a lion which resembles will, determination and power. Ma Durga riding a lion symbolizes her mastery over all these qualities. It also suggests that one should possess these qualities to master the demon, ego.

In Hindu mythology Ganesha’s vehicle is a mouse. This mouse symbolizes meekness. It teaches us to be humble and helpful towards needy people and not judge them by their lower ranks.

According to our mythology Lakshmi is the reigning god of wealth and she takes away the darkness of poverty, stagnation and laziness from our life. Her vehicle owl represents royalty and riches which always serve at her feet.

Lord Kartik has a beautiful and pious bird peacock as his bahana. This peacock signifies sensuous desires. As a vehicle of Kartik, it teaches us to suppress our desires and get over the demerits of six Kamas.

A white swan is said to be able to separate milk from water. As bahana of Saraswati, the god of knowledge it signifies discrimination between good and bad and stands for eternal and absolute truth.