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Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi or Vinayaka Chavithi is one of India’s favorite festivals celebrated with fun and fervor for 11 days. The festival dedicated to Lord Ganesh is celebrated grandly especially in Maharashtra and other south-western regions of India.

This year, Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated by Hindus across the world on September 2.

As per the Hindu calendar, Ganesh Chaturthi is observed on the fourth day of the waxing moon period also known as Shukla Chaturthiin the Hindu month of Bhadrapada.

Rituals of Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi festival in the main comprises of bringing home Lord Ganesh idol to offer prayers. After offering prayers for certain days, the idol will be immersed in any water resources. Besides this, there is a whole set of religious rituals involved in the prayers offered to the Lord Ganesha on Ganesh Chaturthi. It is also largely believed that one must not look at the moon on Ganesh Chaturthi.

As some blindly follow the rule, here we give you the spiritual reason behind the why you should not see the moon on Ganesh Chaturthi:

According to Hindu mythology, apparently, the moon god, Chandra dev, was known to be too proud of his attractive looks. And then one day his arrogance faced the wrath of Lord Ganesha and was cursed by him.

Chandra dev had made fun of Lord Ganesha's big tummy and his elephant head. This angered Lord Ganesha and to teach him a lesson about the importance of politeness, he cursed him saying that whoever looked at the moon would bring in bad luck, false accusation, and a bad name even without having a fault of their own.

But since it is said that Lord Ganesha isn't cruel, so he lifted the curse off but there was a catch. He said that at least on the day of Ganesh Chaturthi whoever looks at the moon will face the consequences.

Though there isn’t a scientific explanation behind it, scores of people till date follow the rule on Ganesh Chaturthi.

-Sowmya Sangam