The birth anniversary of Lord Ganesha is celebrated as one of the popular festival in India, namely Ganesh Chaturthi. Lord Ganesha is worshipped as a Lord of wisdom, good fortune and prosperity. It is believed that at the time of Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapada month, this legend was born. In current days, Ganesh Chaturthi falls in the month of August or September as per the English calendar.
The Ganesh Chaturthi is also known as Ganesh Utsav and it ends after 10 days, on the day of Anant Chaturdashi which is also regarded as the Ganesh Visarjan Day. On this day, worshippers immerse the idol of Lord Ganesha in water after a huge street procession.
Ganapati Sthapana and Ganapati Puja Muhurat:
Ganpati puja is done during the Madhyahna as it believed that during this Madhyana Kala, the Ganpati Bappa was born. This Kala is also regarded as the Midday as per the Hindu division of the day.
As per the hindu norms of time-keeping, it is believed that the duration was divided into 5 equal parts between the sunrise and the sunset. These five parts are known as Pratahkala, Sangava, Madhyahna, Aparahna and Sayankal. The Sthapana of Ganpati idol and Ganpati pujs on the prestigious day on Ganehs Chaturthi are done during the Madhyahna part of the day and it is the best time for Ganpati puja as per the Vedic astrology.
During the mid of the day, the devotees perform various rituals in details and performs a Ganesh Puja which is also known as Shodashopachara Ganapati Puja.
Why Moon Sighting on Ganesha Chaturthi is Prohibited:
It is also believed that seeing moon on Ganesh Chaturthi is strictly prohibited by the ancestors of Hinduism. As they believe that seeing moon on the religious day of Ganesh Chaturthi creates Mithya Dosham or Mithya Kalank (कलंक) which means having false accusation for stealing something precious.
As per the legends of Purana, Lord Krishna was also falsely accused for stealing precious jewel named Syamantaka. After seeing the plights of Kirshna, Sage Narada informed that God Krishna sighted moon on that day of Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi and this is the reason he has been cursed with Mithya Dosha.
Sage Narada further added to Krishna that God handra has been cursed by Lord Ganesha and the curse was like this, if someone see moon on Shukla Chaturthi during the Bhadarapada month, he or she would be cursed with Mithya Dosha and will be dishonoured in the society. With this advice of Lord Narada, Lord Krishna kept fast and observed on Ganesha Chaturthi by fasting to get rid of Mithya Dosha.
Mithya Dosha Prevention Mantra Meaning:
During the time of Chaturthi Tithi, seeing moon is strictly prohibited for two consecutive days as according to the Panchangam rules, moon should not be sight while Chaturthi Tithi is going on. Adding into this, the rising of the moon as well during the Chaturthi should not be seen even if the Chaturthi Tithi gets over before the moon set.
But if someone accidentally saw the moon during that time, than he or she can chant the given Mantra to get rid of the curse-
सिंहः प्रसेनमवधीत्सिंहो जाम्बवता हतः।
सुकुमारक मारोदीस्तव ह्येष स्यमन्तकः॥
Simhah Prasenamavadhitsimho Jambavata Hatah।
Sukumaraka Marodistava Hyesha Syamantakah॥
Vinayaka Chaturthi and Ganesh Chauth are the another name of Ganesh Chaturthi.
