Why You Should Avoid Looking at the Moon on Ganesh Chaturthi?

Ganesh Chaturthi is one of Bharat's major holidays, celebrated with great dedication, excitement, and religious zeal. It is also stated that on this day, Lord Shiva recognized his son, Lord Ganesha, as one of the most powerful and outstanding gods. Lord Ganesha, according to Sanatana religion, is a sign of knowledge, wisdom, riches, and prosperity. Lord Ganesha is worshipped before beginning any Puja, big activity, or event at the household or communal level to ensure its success and fruition. When it comes to Ganesh Chaturthi, the elders believe that we should not stare at the moon in the sky on this specific day.

Table of Contents:

1. The Story Behind the Moon and Ganesh Chaturthi
2. The Scientific Explanation of the Moon Curse
a. The Effects of Negative Prana Particles
3. Is the story about Ganesha falling down and the moon laughing at him false?
4. What Happens if You Accidentally Look at the Moon?
5. Rituals to Purify Negative Energy
a. Homam and Mantras to Break the Curse

The Story Behind the Moon and Ganesh Chaturthi

Many people are unaware of the rationale. Therefore, read the amazing narrative offered below: The legendary story behind this statement involves Lord Ganesha and the moon. According to the narrative, Ganesha was riding his mouse on this particular day. On his route, Lord Ganesh tripped due to his weight. During this time, the moon couldn't help but laugh. It is stated that once, Moon God Chandra, who was exceptionally gorgeous and proud of his appearance, attempted to mock Lord Ganesha by making derogatory remarks about his large belly and elephant head. After hearing all of the disparaging comments, Lord Ganesha resolved to chastise Chandra to make him understand his mistake and be humble and polite in the way he acted.
So Lord Ganesha cursed Chandra, declaring that no one will worship the moon, and everyone who looks at it will face false accusations and suffer a poor reputation, even if they are innocent.
Hearing this sentence, Chandra became broken and devastated; his rudeness and arrogance gone in an instant. Chandra, together with the other Gods, began to worship Lord Ganesha in order to apologize and appease him again.
Finally, Lord Ganesha was satisfied and decided to release Chandra from the curse, but only through a route. He stated that humans could look at the moon on any day except for 'Bhadrapada Chaturthi'. He claimed everyone who observes the moon on Bhadrapada Chaturthi will face false accusations.

The Scientific Explanation of the Moon Curse

During the Shukla Chaturthi/Ganesha Chaturthi, which occurs on the fourth day of the new moon in the Bhadrapada month of the Sanatana calendar, the moon's rays bring negative Prana particles. 

The Effects of Negative Prana Particles

When a person sees the moon, negative Prana particles enter the body through his or her eye. When these particles enter the body, they cause a negative circumstance and false blame/accusation in his or her life. Because of this, our elders cautioned us not to watch the moon during Chaturthi Tithi, as told in a narrative about Ganesha and the Moon.

Is the story about Ganesha falling down and the moon laughing at him false?

Our forefathers had a unique method of communicating facts and logical reasoning to ordinary people through storytelling. Whether it was the early Sanatanis, the ancient Egyptians, or the old Chinese, they passed on immense wisdom to future generations through stories. Facts are easily remembered through stories. However, in this scenario, only the story is passed down across generations, not the underlying facts. 

What Happens if You Accidentally Look at the Moon?

The effects of negative Prana particles on the body differ from individual to person. Normally, the manifestation of the effect occurs throughout any of the lunar cycles. Each cycle has a duration of 15 days. Each month, the Moon goes through two phases: New Moon/Amavasya and Full Moon/Purnima. 

Rituals to Purify Negative Energy

Homam and Mantras to Break the Curse

Since that day, 'Bhadrapada Chaturthi' has been celebrated as Ganesh Chaturthi.

Anyone who mistakenly glances at the moon on Bhadrapada Chaturthi and does Homam, a holy ritual, as well as listens to/recites the story of Ganesh Chaturthi, will be free of the curse. When fire comes into contact with air during a Homam, it purifies itself and becomes lighter in nature. It purifies the body, mind, soul, and environment.
You can also say this mantra: 

||Simhah Prasenamavadhitsimho Jambavata Hatah. Sukumaraka Marodestava Hyesha Syamantakah॥

Another option is to take akshata from the Ganesh Pooja in the evening and place it on their head, consume it, store it in their houses, or use it for their own rituals.