India, Oct. 18 -- Every year, as Durga Puja approaches, artisans across Bengal put the finishing touches to clay idols of Goddess Durga. One of the most significant steps is painting the goddess's eyes, a ritual believed to symbolise bringing the deity to life. But why are the eyes traditionally painted last, and what is the significance of this age-old practice?

The tradition is known as Chokkhudaan, which translates to the offering or bestowing of eyes. In this ritual, the artisan carefully paints the goddess's eyes, transforming the expression of the clay idol and symbolically bringing the deity to life.

According to UNESCO's account of Durga Puja in Kolkata, the painting of the eyes is associated with the beginning of the goddess's ...