Holy Days - January to April - each year…
Naw-Ruz 21 March
Literally means 'New Day' (from the Persian)
Celebrated as Bahá'í New Year, this is also the first day of spring, the vernal equinox. The Bahá'í date system began in 1844, the year of when the Báb announced his religious mission to His first discipline. Naw-Ruz was actually first celebrated by the early community during the lifetime of the Báb.
Festival of Ridván 21 April to 2 May
Ridván is a word meaning 'Paradise'
Three days out of this twelve day festival are marked as Holy Days. The 1st recalls Bahá'u'lláh's declaration of His religious mission to His followers on 21 April 1863. The 9th day (29 April) Bahá'u'lláh's family joined Him to celebrate in a small garden in Baghdad, which He named 'Ridván'. The 12th day (2 May) Bahá'u'lláh left the city as He had been exiled to Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul, Turkey).
The free election of Bahá'í local and national assemblies takes place during this festival.
Literally means 'New Day' (from the Persian)
Celebrated as Bahá'í New Year, this is also the first day of spring, the vernal equinox. The Bahá'í date system began in 1844, the year of when the Báb announced his religious mission to His first discipline. Naw-Ruz was actually first celebrated by the early community during the lifetime of the Báb.
Festival of Ridván 21 April to 2 May
Ridván is a word meaning 'Paradise'
Three days out of this twelve day festival are marked as Holy Days. The 1st recalls Bahá'u'lláh's declaration of His religious mission to His followers on 21 April 1863. The 9th day (29 April) Bahá'u'lláh's family joined Him to celebrate in a small garden in Baghdad, which He named 'Ridván'. The 12th day (2 May) Bahá'u'lláh left the city as He had been exiled to Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul, Turkey).
The free election of Bahá'í local and national assemblies takes place during this festival.