The festival of Ganesh Chaturthi,  which marks the birth of Lord Ganpati, among the most revered Gods of the Hindus starts today. The earliest celebrations of Ganesh Chaturthi started as a way to get people together and united against the British rule. And over the years, a lot of people just love the oncoming of their favourite God and do all that they can to please him. Those who get Ganesha idol at home, have an altogether different excitement and vibe about the festival. There are a lot of mythological stories surrounding Lord Ganesha. Did you know it is inauspicious to watch the moon on the day of Ganesh Chaturthi? It is said anyone who watches the moon on the first day will be falsely accused of stealing or get a bad name for themselves. Siddhivinayak Temple Live Streaming: Watch Telecast of Ganpati Puja Aarti From Mumbai During Ganeshotsav 2018.

The story of Mithya Dosha:

If a person looks at the moon on Ganesh Chaturthi, he/she is said to fall prey to Mithya Dosha or Mithya Kalank. It means the person will be falsely accused of stealing. The mythological story goes, once Lord Ganesha was going somewhere on his vehicle, the rat. The moon God, Chandra Dev was looking at them from the skies and seeing the pot-bellied Lord riding on a small rat, made him laugh. Chandra Dev laughed aloud at the sight and Lord Ganesha heard him. Furious at him, Lord Ganesha cursed the moon and said, "May you be unable to show your face to anyone." Ganpati 2018 Date: Significance, History, Importance, Rituals & Why is the Festival of Lord Ganesha Celebrated for 10 Days. 

The moon then disappeared into the skies. From next day, the moon did not appear in the night sky and the people were worried. The Gods too were panicking as the presence of the moon was important for life. The Gods along with the Chandra Dev went to Lord Ganesha and asked for forgiveness. But a curse once pronounced cannot be taken back, thus it was modified. Lord Ganesha reduced the curse and said anyone who sees the moon on the fourth day of Bhadrapada, which is Ganesh Chaturthi, will have to suffer from shame. Ganesh Chaturthi 2018: Stories & Legends to Know Everything About Birth of Lord Ganesha & Why It Is Celebrated.

Lord Krishna is said to have fallen prey to the Mithya Dosha as he accidentally looked at the moon on Ganesh Chaturthi day. Lord Krishna was falsely accused of stealing a precious gem Syamantaka. He then kept a fast on Ganesh Chaturthi be free from the Mithya Dosha.

Timings to avoid watching the moon on Ganesh Chaturthi 2018:

According to Drikpanchang, you should not watch the moon from 4:07 pm to 8:33 pm on September 12. On September 13, one should not look at the moon from 9.31 am to 21:12 pm.

What to do in case you see the moon?

In case if you see the moon then one should chant a mantra to get rid of the Mithya Dosha. Lord Ganesha and His 108 Names! From Vinayaka to Maheshaya, Chant These Names on Ganesh Chaturthi 2018! 

Chant the following mantra:

सिंहः प्रसेनमवधीत्सिंहो जाम्बवता हतः। सुकुमारक मारोदीस्तव ह्येष स्यमन्तकः॥

Simhah Prasenamavadhitsimho Jambavata Hatah ॥

Sukumaraka Marodistava Hyesha Syamantakah॥

What science says:

Although there is a mythological story to this belief, there is also a scientific backing to this. On the day of Ganesh Chaturthi, the moon comes closer to the earth. They are at a peculiar angle which causes more rays of the sun to be reflected at a greater intensity. So it is said that looking at the moon can also be harmful to the eyes.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 13, 2018 08:53 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).