Ganesh Chaturthi 2023: Why moon-gazing is prohibited during the festival

As the vibrant festival of Ganesh Chaturthi approaches, devout Hindus across the globe are gearing up to celebrate Lord Ganesha's birthday with immense zeal and devotion. This auspicious occasion falls on September 19, with the grand Ganesh Visarjan scheduled for September 28. Amid the myriad of traditions and customs associated with this festival, one intriguing legend stands out: the prohibition of gazing at the moon on Ganesh Chaturthi.

2 things you need to know

• Ganesh Chaturthi is a 10-day festival which will be celebrated from September 19 to September 28.
• The key rituals of Ganesh Chaturthi are Prana Pratishta and Ganpati Visarjan.

The folklore behind the moon curse

According to Hindu mythology, this prohibition stems from a fascinating encounter between Lord Ganesh and Chandra, the Moon God. Legend has it that on a moonlit night during the Bhadrapada Month, Lord Ganesh, with his distinctive elephant head and round belly, was returning home atop his faithful vahana, a mouse. The Moon God, known for his vanity, couldn't resist making jest of Ganesha's unique appearance and that of his loyal companion.

(People avoid looking at the moon when they welcome Bappa | Image: Shutterstock)

Infuriated by the mockery, Lord Ganesha uttered a curse that has reverberated through the ages. He declared that moonlight would never grace the Earth again and warned that anyone who dared to gaze at the moon on Bhadrapada Chaturthi would be falsely accused of theft, tarnishing their reputation. The Moon god, realising the gravity of the curse, sought forgiveness, but Lord Ganesh, in his divine wisdom, chose to maintain the restriction.

The significance of the prohibition

This age-old belief continues to be honoured to this day. It serves as a reminder of Lord Ganesh's wisdom and his protective nature towards his devotees. To avoid the dreaded Mithya Dosha, which could unjustly implicate one in theft, it is advised not to look at the moon during Ganesh Chaturthi. Devotees eagerly await the auspicious time to welcome Lord Ganesh into their homes, which falls between 12:39 PM on September 18, and 01:43 PM on September 19, according to Drik Panchang.

As the 10-day festival unfolds, with various rituals and festivities, adhering to this age-old lunar taboo is a testament to the enduring traditions and deep-rooted beliefs that surround Ganesh Chaturthi. It's a time when faith and devotion take centre stage, as devotees seek the blessings of Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, and protector of their reputation.