Why is Chaturthi Ganesha's Favourite Day? The Legend of the Moon's Curse

By Pandit Vikram Joshi, Ganesha Purana Scholar | Reviewed by Utsav editorial team

Lord Ganesha’s favorite day, the Chaturthi tithi, was established through a powerful celestial event involving a curse and a subsequent boon. The Ganesha Purana (Upasanakhanda, Adhyaya 60) recounts how Ganesha cursed the arrogant Moon God, Chandra, for his mockery. This curse was later modified, transforming the day of the insult into the most auspicious day for devotees to receive Ganesha’s blessings.

Table of Contents

• The Legend of Ganesha and the Arrogant Moon
• What This Powerful Legend Teaches Us
• Festivals & Rituals Connected to This Story
• Temples Connected to Lord Ganesha
• Mantras Associated with Lord Ganesha
• Participate in Ganesha Pujas on Utsav
• More Legends of Lord Ganesha
• Sources & References

The Legend of Ganesha and the Arrogant Moon

The origin story of Chaturthi's significance isn't just a simple tale; it's a profound teaching on humility, detailed in texts like the Skanda Purana. It shows how a moment of divine anger transformed into an eternal window of grace for you, the devotee. This wasn't just a random event. It was a cosmic lesson.

A Feast of Modaks and a Midnight Ride

The story begins with Lord Ganesha, the Vighnaharta (remover of obstacles), returning from a magnificent feast hosted by Kubera, the god of wealth. His heart was content and his belly was delightfully full of his absolute favourite sweet—modaks. He was in a truly cheerful mood, riding home under a brilliant full moon on his trusted vahana, the mighty mouse Krauncha, who scurried swiftly. It was a perfect night.

The Serpent, The Stumble, and The Mocking Moon

Suddenly, a large serpent slithered across their path. Krauncha, startled by the unexpected visitor, stumbled, and the jolt sent Lord Ganesha tumbling down. The impact was so great that his full belly burst open, spilling the delicious modaks all over the ground. But Ganesha, ever-composed, didn't panic. He calmly gathered every single modak, placed them back inside his belly, and then, in a moment of brilliant resourcefulness, caught the serpent and used it as a belt. Watching this whole episode from the heavens was Chandra, the Moon God. He couldn't contain himself and let out a loud, mocking roar of laughter.

The Curse: A Light Diminished by Pride

Ganesha’s cheerful mood evaporated instantly. He was deeply offended, not by the fall, but by Chandra’s sheer arrogance. How could anyone find humour in this? Looking up at the proud Moon God, Ganesha pronounced a powerful curse. "Your pride in your own beauty is the source of this foolishness! For this, you are cursed. From this day forward, your light will be useless, and whoever looks upon you will be tainted by scandal and face false accusations!"

A World Plunged into Darkness and Despair

The curse was immediate and absolute. Chandra’s brilliant light vanished, plunging the nights into an unnerving, perpetual darkness. The gods and sages grew alarmed. You see, the moon’s cycles are essential for everything—rituals, the tides, the growth of plants. A world without the moon is a world in chaos. Realizing his catastrophic error, a humbled and terrified Chandra, accompanied by the other gods, rushed to Lord Ganesha to beg for his forgiveness.

The Boon: From a Curse to a Sacred Day

Lord Ganesha, whose anger is as fleeting as a summer storm, was moved by their pleas. He explained that a curse, once given, cannot be entirely revoked. But he could soften it. "The curse must run its course," he declared, "but I will modify it. You, Chandra, will wax and wane each month. You will grow to your full glory and then diminish, a constant celestial reminder to remain humble."

Then, he gave a boon that changed everything for his devotees. "The day you insulted me was a Chaturthi. So, while the curse will remain potent on the night of my grand festival, Ganesh Chaturthi, the Chaturthi tithi of every other month will now be my most beloved day. Any devotee who worships me and observes a vrat (fast) on this day will be freed from all obstacles, absolved of sins, cleared of false accusations, and will receive my highest blessings."

What This Powerful Legend Teaches Us

This story is a crucial lesson on the dangers of pride (ahankara), a teaching that verified Vaidik pandits often emphasize. Chandra's mockery of Ganesha's form represents the ego's fatal flaw: judging external appearances while being blind to the divine within. It’s a mistake we all make.

Ganesha's response, though initially angry, becomes a profound spiritual teaching for all humanity. What about the serpent? Using it as a belt symbolizes his complete mastery over ego and worldly desires. The boon he grants is the core of it all: a day of error, through sincere repentance, can become a day of immense grace. It teaches you that your biggest mistakes, when offered to the divine, can become your greatest opportunities for spiritual growth.

Festivals & Rituals Connected to This Story

This single legend, primarily from the Ganesha Purana, is the bedrock for several of our most important Ganesha-centric observances. You've probably celebrated them without realizing their direct connection to the moon's curse. Think about it.

• Ganesh Chaturthi: The grand festival celebrating Ganesha's birth. This story directly explains the age-old tradition of not looking at the moon on this specific night. Doing so is believed to attract "Mithya Dosha"—the curse of false accusations.
• Sankashti Chaturthi: Observed on the fourth day of the Krishna Paksha (the waning moon phase). Devotees fast until they see the moon, offering prayers to Ganesha to remove sankat (hardships). It's directly tied to Chandra’s redemption.
• Vinayaka Chaturthi: Observed on the fourth day of the Shukla Paksha (the waxing moon phase). This is a fast for wisdom and success, celebrating the moon's return to glory. You can learn more about its history and significance here.

Temples Connected to Lord Ganesha

While thousands of temples honor Ganesha, a few stand out as major pilgrimage sites, each with a unique connection to his divine energy. The official temple trusts for these sites document countless miracles and stories of devotion.

1. Siddhivinayak Temple, Mumbai: Perhaps the most famous Ganesha temple in the world. The deity here is known as a "Navasacha Ganapati," a powerful granter of wishes.
2. Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Temple, Pune: Renowned for its breathtaking golden idol and opulent decorations, it draws millions of devotees seeking blessings for prosperity.
3. Kanipakam Vinayaka Temple, Chittoor: This temple is truly unique. It houses a self-manifested (swayambhu) idol that is believed to be continuously growing in size.
4. Manakula Vinayagar Temple, Puducherry: An ancient and beautiful temple famous for its golden chariot and its beloved elephant, Lakshmi, who blesses devotees.

Mantras Associated with Lord Ganesha

Chanting Ganesha's mantras on a Chaturthi tithi is one of the most effective spiritual practices you can undertake. The cosmic energies on this lunar day are highly conducive to connecting with the divine frequency of the elephant-headed god. As pandits performing these rituals explain, the vibrations of these sacred sounds are significantly amplified on his favorite day, making your prayers more potent and clearing your spiritual path.

• Ganesha Mool Mantra: The primary mantra for removing all obstacles in one's path. Its core is the powerful bija or seed sound "Gam," which holds the concentrated energy of Lord Ganesha to dissolve difficulties.
  > ॐ गं गणपतये नमः
  > Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha
• Ganesha Gayatri Mantra: Chanted for sharpening the intellect and attaining wisdom. This prayer invokes his forms as Ekadanta (the One-Tusked) and Vakratunda (the Curved-Trunked Lord) to guide our minds toward clarity.
  > ॐ एकदन्ताय विद्महे, वक्रतुण्डाय धीमहि, तन्नो दन्ति प्रचोदयात्
  > Om Ekadantaya Vidmahe, Vakratundaya Dhimahi, Tanno Danti Prachodayat
• Chanting Practice: For maximum benefit, these mantras are traditionally chanted 108 times using a japa mala (prayer beads) to maintain focus and count.

Participate in Ganesha Pujas on Utsav

Don't just read about Chaturthi—experience its divine power for yourself. You can overcome life's hurdles by connecting with Lord Ganesha's grace. Participate in pujas performed by verified pandits at sacred temples. It's a deeply meaningful act of devotion.

• Chintamani Ganesh Vighnaharan Ketu Shanti Maha Puja: A powerful ritual to remove obstacles and pacify Ketu's influence. Participate with a Dakshina of ₹851.
• Sri Siddhivinayak Weekly Modak Durva Daan Seva: Offer Lord Ganesha's favorite things—Modak and Durva grass—at the powerful Siddhivinayak temple. Participate in this blessed Seva.

More Legends of Lord Ganesha

The stories of Lord Ganesha are endless wells of wisdom and joy. Each one reveals a different aspect of his divine personality and offers powerful life lessons.

• Learn about the different mounts of Lord Ganesha and what they symbolize.
• Discover the rituals at one of his most powerful temples in our guide to Siddhivinayak Siddhatek.

Tithi Aarti

जय गणेश जय गणेश जय गणेश देवा।
माता जाकी पार्वती पिता महादेवा॥
एकदन्त दयावन्त चारभुजाधारी।
माथे पर तिलक सोहे मूसे की सवारी॥

Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh deva
Mata jaki Parvati, pita Mahadeva
Ekadanta dayavanta, chara bhuja dhari
Mathe par tilaka sohe, muse ki savari

This famous aarti celebrates Lord Ganesha, hailing him as the divine son of Goddess Parvati and Lord Mahadeva (Shiva). The verse lovingly describes his form: the compassionate one with a single tusk and four arms, who wears a sacred tilak on his forehead and rides upon a mouse.

When to sing: This hymn is sung to conclude a Ganesh puja, especially on Ganesh Chaturthi and the monthly Sankashti or Vinayaka Chaturthi, invoking His grace and seeking forgiveness for any shortcomings in the worship.

Sources & References

Scriptural Authority:
- Ganesha Purana, Upasanakhanda, Adhyaya 60
- Skanda Purana, Avantikhanda

Related Pujas on Utsav:
- Chintamani Ganesh Vighnaharan Ketu Shanti Maha Puja
- Budhvar Visesh Sri Siddhivinayak Weekly Modak Durva Daan Seva