On Ganesh Chaturthi or Vinayak Chaturthi, Ganesha is worshipped as the god of wisdom and prosperity. The Ganeshotsav ends after 10 days on Anant Chaturdashi which is also known as Ganesh Visarjan day.

On Ganesh Chaturthi or Vinayak Chaturthi, Ganesha is worshipped as the god of wisdom and prosperity. The Ganeshotsav ends after 10 days on Anant Chaturdashi which is also known as Ganesh Visarjan day. On Anant Chaturdashi, devotees immerse idol of Lord Ganesh in water body after a gala street procession.

It is believed that one should not see the moon on Ganesh Chaturthi. Seeing the moon on Ganesh Chaturthi creates Mithya Dosham or Mithya Kalank which means false accusation of stealing something. As per Puranic legends, Lord Krishna was falsely accused of stealing precious jewel named Syamantaka. After seeing plight of Lord Krishna, Sage Narada informed that Lord Krishna sighted moon on the day of Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi and because of that he has been cursed with Mithya Dosha. On the advice of sage Narada Lord Krishna observed Ganesha Chaturthi fasting to get rid of Mithya Dosha. If anyone has mistakenly sighted moon on Ganesha Chaturthi then he should chant following Mantra to get rid of the curse –

सिंहः प्रसेनमवधीत्सिंहो जाम्बवता हतः।
सुकुमारक मारोदीस्तव ह्येष स्यमन्तकः॥

Simhah Prasenamavadhitsimho Jambavata Hatah।
Sukumaraka Marodistava Hyesha Syamantakah॥

As per another interpretation, On the 4th day of the Bhadrapad month, Lord Ganesha, who had been well fed by his devotees, was returning to his abode on his vehicle, the mouse. Seeing the sight of the huge Lord on a tiny mouse, the moon in the sky began to laugh aloud. He was vain about his splendor and beauty, and thus he laughed. Little did he know that all his splendor was only a ‘reflection’ of the Sun God. To teach the vain moon a lesson, Lord Ganesha cursed that no light ever fall on him again. Thus, the moon had no light and disappeared from the skies.” Be it the moon or any other being, if one forgets that source, one gets plunged into the darkness of ignorance. The moon repented and sought pardon from Lord Ganesha. All the other beings of the world too pleaded on his behalf and the Lord acceded. However, once a curse is pronounced, it cannot be taken back, even by God. It can only be modified. Thus, Lord Ganesha changed the curse and said that the moon would undergo regular waxing and waning to remind him to be humble. He also added that anyone seeing him on the 4th day of the Bhadrapada month would face blame and unjust criticism. ✨🌀🐘🎈🎉🕉📿🌀🎉🐚🔔🎈🎨✨

Jai Shri Ganeshaya Namah ~ Ganpati Bappa Morya! 🙏🏻🐘🙏🏻
Shubh Ratri 💟💖🕉