Archive · 14 Sep 2026
Why Moon Sighting Is Avoided on Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi is a Hindu festival connected with Lord Ganesha.
There is a tradition that people should not look at the Moon on this day.
The story says that Chandra, the Moon God, laughed at Ganesha’s appearance.
Ganesha became angry and placed a curse connected with seeing the Moon.
The curse was believed to cause false accusations or unfair blame.
Chandra realised that he had done something wrong.
He asked Ganesha for forgiveness.
Ganesha reduced the curse, but the tradition of avoiding the Moon continued.
Hindu tradition advises devotees not to look at the Moon during the Chaturthi tithi.
Seeing the Moon on this day is believed to bring false accusations or unwarranted blame.
The belief comes from a story involving Lord Ganesha and Chandra, the Moon God.
Chandra once laughed at Ganesha’s appearance, angering him.
Ganesha later reduced the curse after Chandra recognised his mistake and asked forgiveness.
- Who
- The tradition concerns devotees, Lord Ganesha, and Chandra, the Moon God.
- What
- Devotees are traditionally advised to avoid looking at the Moon during the Chaturthi tithi.
- When
- During the Chaturthi tithi of Ganesh Chaturthi.
- Why
- The belief says that seeing the Moon can invite false accusations or unwarranted blame because of Ganesha’s curse.
- Festival
- Ganesh Chaturthi
- Restricted action
- Looking at the Moon during the Chaturthi tithi
- Believed consequence
- False accusations or unwarranted blame
- Central figures
- Lord Ganesha and Chandra, the Moon God
- Cause of the curse
- Chandra laughed at Ganesha’s appearance
- Resolution
- Chandra sought forgiveness, and Ganesha reduced the severity of the curse
- Continuing tradition
- Devotees continued avoiding moon sighting on Ganesh Chaturthi