Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Ganeshotsav, Ganesh Puja and Ganpati, is one of India's favourite festivals. Celebrated essentially in Maharashtra and other south-western areas of the country, Ganesh Chaturthi will be celebrated this year on September 2, 2019. As per the Hindu calendar, Ganesh Chaturthi is observed on the fourth day of the waxing moon period also known as Shukla Chaturthi in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada. Ganeshotsav festival lasts for about 11 days. Know more about Ganesh Chaturthi 2019 Date, Significance, Rituals, Celebrations Related to the 10-Day Ganpati Utsav. 

Broadly, the ritual of celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi comprises bringing home the idol of Lord Ganesha, offering prayers, celebrating and then immersing the deity's idol. There is a whole set of rituals that are involved in the prayers offered to the Lord Ganesha on Ganesh Chaturthi. However, there is a certain ritual or superstition (as some may like to call it) that believes that you one must not look at the moon on Ganesh Chaturthi. The ritual bars you from looking at the moon on this day leaving many people to wonder the reason behind it.

Why Should You Not See The Moon on Ganesh Chaturthi

There is a mythological story that serves as an explanation behind the reason why you should not see the moon on Ganesh Chaturthi. So apparently, The moon god, Chandra dev, was known to be too proud of his handsome looks. It was when one day his arrogance faced the ire of Lord Ganesha and was cursed by Lord Ganesha. Chandra dev had made fun of Lord Ganesha's big tummy and his elephant head and this infuriated Lord Ganpati. Lord Ganesha wanted to teach him a lesson about the importance of politeness and 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 we all know that Lord Ganesha isn't cruel, it is said that he lifted the curse off Lord Ganesha 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.

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So there isn't a scientific explanation to this but if you believe in the curse and by mistake look at the moon on Ganesh Chaturthi, you must know that there is a way you can break the curse. You must listen to or recite the story of Ganesha Chaturthi on the day, protect yourself of the curse.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 30, 2019 03:55 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).