Learn about the Festival of Ridvan, one of the most important celebrations in the Bahá’í calendar, including its history, traditions, and how it is observed by Bahá’ís around the world.
The Festival of Ridvan is a twelve-day celebration observed by members of the Bahá’í Faith. It commemorates the period when Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Bahá’í Faith, proclaimed his mission as a messenger of God in the Garden of Ridvan in Baghdad, Iraq in 1863. During this time, Bahá’u’lláh declared his teachings and revealed his station to his family and followers. The first, ninth, and twelfth days of Ridvan are considered holy days, during which Bahá’ís suspend work and school and gather for prayer, reflection, and community activities. The Festival of Ridvan is considered one of the most important events in the Bahá’í calendar and is celebrated by Bahá’ís all over the world.
History of Festival of Ridvan
The Festival of Ridvan has its roots in the historical events that took place in 1863 in the Garden of Ridvan in Baghdad, Iraq. At that time, Bahá’u’lláh was living in exile in Baghdad, having been banished from Iran by the Persian government for his teachings.
On April 21, 1863, Bahá’u’lláh received a visit from a messenger of the Ottoman Empire, who brought a summons for him to travel to Istanbul. Bahá’u’lláh, accompanied by his family and a small group of followers, set out on a journey that would take him to several locations before he eventually arrived in Istanbul.
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Before departing from Baghdad, Bahá’u’lláh spent twelve days in the Garden of Ridvan, which was located on the banks of the Tigris River. It was during this time that he publicly proclaimed his mission as a messenger of God and revealed his station to his followers. He referred to this period as the “Most Great Festival” and instructed his followers to celebrate it as a special occasion.
The first, ninth, and twelfth days of Ridvan are considered holy days in the Bahá’í calendar, commemorating the day that Bahá’u’lláh entered the garden, the day that he left, and the day that his followers joined him in the garden, respectively.
Since that time, the Festival of Ridvan has been celebrated annually by Bahá’ís all over the world as a time of spiritual renewal, reflection, and community building. It is a time for Bahá’ís to remember Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings and to rededicate themselves to the principles of unity, justice, and peace.
Festival of Ridvan Timeline
Here is a timeline of the events leading up to and during the Festival of Ridvan:
- April 21, 1863: Bahá’u’lláh receives a summons from the Ottoman Empire to travel to Istanbul. He departs from Baghdad with his family and a small group of followers.
- April 22-30, 1863: Bahá’u’lláh and his party stop at several locations along the way to Istanbul, including the city of Mosul and the village of Kurdistani.
- April 1863: Bahá’u’lláh arrives in Constantinople (Istanbul) and is placed under house arrest by the Ottoman authorities.
- April 21-May 2, 1863: Bahá’u’lláh spends twelve days in the Garden of Ridvan in Baghdad before departing for Constantinople. He publicly proclaims his mission as a messenger of God and reveals his station to his followers.
- April 21: The first day of Ridvan, commemorating Bahá’u’lláh’s arrival in the garden.
- April 29: The ninth day of Ridvan, commemorating Bahá’u’lláh’s departure from the garden.
- May 2: The twelfth day of Ridvan, commemorating the arrival of Bahá’u’lláh’s followers in the garden.
- 1868: Bahá’u’lláh is exiled again, this time to the city of Akka (in present-day Israel). He spends the rest of his life there, and the garden in Baghdad becomes a place of pilgrimage for Bahá’ís.
- 1925: The Bahá’í World Centre is established in Haifa, Israel. The Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh, located in the Bahji garden near Akka, becomes a major site of pilgrimage for Bahá’ís.
- Today: The Festival of Ridvan is celebrated by Bahá’ís all over the world, who gather together for prayer, reflection, and community activities during the first, ninth, and twelfth days of Ridvan.
How to Observe Festival of Ridvan
The Festival of Ridvan is observed by Bahá’ís over a twelve-day period, with the first, ninth, and twelfth days being considered holy days. Bahá’ís typically suspend work and school on these days and gather together for prayer, reflection, and community activities.
During the Festival of Ridvan, Bahá’ís may decorate their homes and communities with flowers and other symbols of spring to signify the newness and freshness of the revelation of Bahá’u’lláh. They may also participate in service projects, engage in acts of kindness and generosity, and spend time with family and friends.
Bahá’ís may also read and reflect on the writings of Bahá’u’lláh, which contain guidance and teachings on spiritual and social issues. They may also attend special gatherings or devotional meetings, which may include music, prayer, and readings from the Bahá’í scriptures.
Overall, the Festival of Ridvan is a time for Bahá’ís to renew their commitment to the principles of unity, justice, and peace, and to reflect on the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh.
Facts About Festival of Ridvan
Here are some facts about the Festival of Ridvan:
- The Festival of Ridvan is one of the most important celebrations in the Bahá’í calendar, along with the Birth of the Bab and the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh.
- The festival takes place over a twelve-day period, with the first, ninth, and twelfth days being considered holy days.
- The festival commemorates the twelve days that Bahá’u’lláh spent in the Garden of Ridvan in Baghdad in 1863, during which he publicly proclaimed his mission as a messenger of God and revealed his station to his followers.
- The garden in Baghdad where Bahá’u’lláh spent those twelve days has become a place of pilgrimage for Bahá’ís, and is known as the Ridvan Garden.
- During the festival, Bahá’ís decorate their homes and communities with flowers and other symbols of spring, to signify the newness and freshness of the revelation of Bahá’u’lláh.
- Bahá’ís typically suspend work and school on the holy days of the festival, and gather together for prayer, reflection, and community activities.
- The festival is a time for Bahá’ís to renew their commitment to the principles of unity, justice, and peace, and to reflect on the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh.
The festival is celebrated by Bahá’ís all over the world, and is an opportunity for the Bahá’í community to come together and strengthen bonds of fellowship and unity.
