Ganesh Chaturthi (also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi), observed as the birthday of Lord Ganesha, will be celebrated from 17 September. The 10-day long festival holds great significance to people across India.
India being a land of several mythologies, Ganesh Chaturthi also is linked to some of the interesting stories and myths. One of the most popular myths associated with the festival is that one should not look at the moon on the night of Ganesh Chaturthi and if anyone does so, he or she will be falsely accused of doing something wrong.
Although, it appears to be a mere superstition, it is widely believed by most of the devotees and people still avoid looking at the moon on Ganesh Chaturthi. While, it is supposed that bad luck is certain to follow if anyone looks at the moon intentionally, a popular belief suggests that there is a remedy also in case the "mistake" is unintentional.
The supposed remedy is that the person has to listen to or recite the story of "Syamantaka", which is available in the Puranas. Only then can he or she be free from the curse.
The belief originated from a mythological tale, popularly known as the story of "Lord Ganesha cursing the moon". According to the story, Lord Ganesha ate a large amount of sweets on one of his birthdays and then went off for a ride on his rat at night. While He was enjoying the ride, a snake came in front of the rat and the latter lost its balance. Lord Ganesha fell down and all the sweets came out of His stomach. Ganesha then quickly stuffed the sweets into his stomach and tied it up by wrapping the snake around his waist.
However, He soon realised that the moon was laughing at Him as he watched the incident and that made Ganesha very angry. Not only did the irked Ganesha broke a part of his tusk and threw at the moon, He also cursed the moon that anyone who looks at the latter on the night of Ganesh Chaturthi will be falsely blamed for a wrongdoing.
Story courtesy: I Love India.com
