The Holy Days

• The Feast of Naw Rúz- March 21
  Literally, New Day. The Bahá'í New Year. Like the ancient Persian New Year, it occurs on the spring equinox, which generally falls on 21 March. If the equinox falls after sunset on 21 March, Naw Rúz is celebrated on 22 March, since the Bahá'í day begins at sunset. For the present, however, the celebration of Naw Rúz is fixed on 21 March. In the Bahá'í calandar, Naw Rúz falls on the day of Bahá of the month of Bahá. The Festival of Naw Rúz marks the end of the month of fasting and is a joyous time of celebration. It is a Bahá'í Holy Day on which work is to be suspended.
• Festival of Ridvan- April 21
  The Ninth Day of Ridvan- April 29
  The Twelfth Day of Ridvan- May 02
  The word "Ridvan" means "Paradise". For twelve days, April 21 to May 2, Bahá'ís celebrate the period in 1863 when Bahá'u'lláh, the Prophet-Founder of the Bahá'í Faith resided in a garden in Baghdad which He called "the Garden of Ridvan." During this period Bahá'u'lláh proclaimed his mission as God's messenger for this age.
• The Anniversary of The Declaration of The Báb- May 23
  May 23, 1844 marks the beginnings of the Bahá'í Faith in Shiraz, Persia (Iran). The Báb, which means the "Gate", proclaimed on that date that he was not only the founder of an independent religion, but the herald of a new and greater prophet or messenger of God, Who would usher in an age of peace for all mankind.
• The Anniversary of The Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh- May 29
  Bahá'u'lláh, Prophet-Founder of the Bahá'í Faith, passed away in 1892 near Akka, Palastine (Israel).
• The Anniversary of The Martyrdom of The Báb- July 09
  On July 9, Bahá'ís commemorate the execution of the Báb, Prophet-Herald of the Bahá'í Faith, on that date in 1850 in Tabriz, Persia (Iran).
• The Anniversary of The Birth of The Báb- October 20
  Bahá'ís commemorate the birth of the Báb (the "Gate") the Prophet-Herald of the Bahá'í Faith. The Báb was born in 1819.
• The Anniversary of The Birth of Bahá'u'lláh- November 12
  Bahá'ís commemorate the birth of Bahá'u'lláh, the Prophet-Founder of the Bahá'í Faith. Bahá'u'lláh was born in 1817.
• The Anniversary of The Ascension of Abdul'Báha- November 28
  Bahá'ís commemorate the passing of Abdul'Báha, son of the Prophet-Founder of the Bahá'í Faith. He died in Haifa, Palestine in 1921.
• Ayyam-i-Ha (Intercalary Days)- February 25 to March 1
  The Bahá'í calendar is made up of 19 months of 19 days each. The period of Ayyam-i-Ha adjusts the Bahá'í year to the solar cycle. Bahá'u'lláh designated the Intercalary days as Ayyám-i-Há in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas and specified when they should be observed. The Ayyám-i-Há are devoted to spiritual preparation for the fast, hospitality, feasting, charity and gift giving.
• Period of Fasting- March 2 to March 20
  Bahá'ís fast for 19 days from sunrise to sunset, setting aside time for prayer and meditation. Children under the age of 15, individuals who are ill, travelers, the elderly, pregnant women and nursing mothers are exempt from the fast.