WHY SIGHTING MOON SHOULD BE AVOIDED ON CHATURTHI

Neha Mangal

A cultural tradition observed on Ganesh Chaturthi is avoiding sighting the moon (Chandra Darshan)—a practice rooted in Puranic legend. Lord Ganesha was once mocked by the moon, leading to his curse that anyone who sees the moon on Ganesh Chaturthi would be unjustly defamed and tarnished with Mithya Dosha (false accusation or dishonor) According to a legend Moon once mocked Lord Ganesha. On his way home, Ganesha was riding his mouse, and the mouse struggled to carry his weight, causing him to fall.

The moon, witnessing this, burst into laughter, mocking Ganesha’s clumsiness. Ganesha, known for his wisdom and benevolence, was deeply hurt and angered by the moon’s mockery.

The Curse: In his anger, Ganesha cursed the moon, stating that anyone who looked at the moon on the day of Ganesh Chaturthi would be falsely accused.

The moon, realising the severity of its actions, pleaded with Ganesha for forgiveness.

While Ganesha couldn’t completely revoke the curse, he modified it. The moon would still shine, but it would wax and wane, experiencing phases of light and darkness.

This story is often told to teach lessons about humility, the consequences of arrogance, and the importance of forgiveness. The legend further connects this tradition to Lord Krishna, who was falsely accused of stealing the Syamantaka Mani. Sage Narada revealed that Krishna had inadvertently sighted the moon on Ganesh Chaturthi, invoking the curse. To remedy this, Krishna observed a Ganesh Chaturthi fast and performed worship to Ganesha, which absolved the curse.

Hence, to avoid Mithya Dosha, a stain of false accusation-devotees refrain from seeing the moon on this day. If the moon is seen unintentionally, one may counteract the ill effect by listening to or reciting the story of the Syamantaka Mani as a traditional remedy.