Celebrating the Twelfth Day of Ridván: A Significant Event in Bahá’í Faith

The Joyous Commemoration of Ridván

Bahá’í communities worldwide are set to celebrate the Twelfth Day of Ridván, often referred to as the 'King of Festivals' and the 'Most Great Festival,' on 5 Jamál, 183 B.E. i.e. on 2 May 2026 A.D.

This sacred occasion marks the end of a twelve-day celebration honoring Bahá’u’lláh’s declaration of His divine mission in 1863, a pivotal event in the history of the Bahá’í Faith and a significant moment for humanity's spiritual journey.

The term Ridván translates to 'Paradise,' commemorating the time Bahá’u’lláh spent in the Garden of Ridván, located along the Tigris River in Baghdad.

Specifically, the Twelfth Day of Ridván marks Bahá’u’lláh’s departure from this garden, initiating His exile to Constantinople. While this journey heralded immense challenges, including imprisonment and suffering, it also marked the spiritual awakening of a new world religion. Bahá’ís celebrate this day with community gatherings, devotional activities, readings from sacred texts, and expressions of joy and gratitude.

Shoghi Effendi, the Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith, described this period as a 'Day of supreme felicity,' a time when 'all created things were immersed in the sea of purification.'

This day signifies the last moments Bahá’u’lláh spent in the Garden of Ridván before embarking on His journey to Constantinople.

The first, ninth, and twelfth days of Ridván are recognized as major holy days in the Bahá’í calendar, during which work and school activities are suspended.

This twelve-day period, spanning from April 21 to May 2, commemorates the moment in 1863 when Bahá’u’lláh proclaimed His Mission as God's Messenger in the Garden of Ridván.

Since the time of Abdu’l-Bahá, Bahá’í elections have typically taken place during Ridván.

The entire twelve-day Ridván period holds great importance for Bahá’í communities, as it is when they elect their local and national governing bodies, known as Spiritual Assemblies.

Originally named Najibiyyih, the Ridván Garden in Baghdad was renamed by Bahá’u’lláh to signify Paradise.

Bahá’u’lláh was exiled to Baghdad from Tehran in Persia in 1853, but by 1863, authorities feared His influence might incite political unrest, leading to His exile to Istanbul.

To allow His family and followers to prepare for the journey, Bahá’u’lláh left His home on April 21, 1863, and moved to the Najibiyyih Garden, where He proclaimed the Festival of Ridván. The festival commences two hours before sunset on April 21, marking His arrival in the garden.

The Festival of Ridván, known as the 'King of Festivals,' is celebrated globally.

On the Twelfth Day in 1863, Bahá’u’lláh and His family departed the Garden of Ridván to begin their exile. This day is characterized by a mix of joyous celebration for the new revelation and profound sorrow due to His departure.

At noon, Bahá’u’lláh mounted His horse, a roan stallion, as many followers expressed their deep affection and sadness, bowing to the ground as He left.

Bahá’u’lláh encouraged His followers to remain steadfast in their service to God and assured them of His spiritual presence despite the physical separation.

The group embarked on a challenging four-month journey to Constantinople, which was intended by the authorities to diminish the influence of the emerging faith but instead facilitated its expansion.

While the first day marked the beginning of His declaration, the twelfth day signifies the conclusion of His stay and the onset of a new phase of His mission, departing from His 'Most Great House' in Baghdad.

This day is regarded as one of immense spiritual significance, with Bahá’u’lláh referring to it in some writings as a time 'whereon the breezes of forgiveness were wafted over the entire creation.'

Although a day of exile, Bahá’ís celebrate it as a moment of victory, as the exile did not hinder the growth of the Bahá’í Faith.

Bahá’u’lláh asserted that His mission as the Promised One of the Báb was revealed to Him in 1852 while imprisoned in the Black Pit of Qajar Iran. Following His release, He was banished from Qajar territory and settled in Baghdad, which became the center of Bábí activity. Although He did not openly declare this prophetic mandate, He increasingly became the leader of the Bábí community.

Bahá’u’lláh's rising prominence in Baghdad and the revival of the Persian Bábí community drew the attention of His adversaries in the ulema and the Qajar government.

Ultimately, they succeeded in persuading the Ottoman government to summon Bahá’u’lláh from Baghdad to Istanbul.

Historically, the events of this day are profoundly moving. On May 2, 1863, Bahá’u’lláh mounted a red roan stallion at noon, surrounded by countless admirers who implored Him to stay and blessed His departure. An eyewitness, the historian Nabil, vividly described the emotional scene:

> 'Numerous were the heads which, on every side, bowed to the dust at the feet of His horse, and kissed its hoofs, and countless were those who pressed forward to embrace His stirrups.'

– Shoghi Effendi, God Passes By, p. 155

Among those deeply affected was a devoted follower, Mirza Asadu’llah Kashani, who chased after Bahá’u’lláh’s caravan until the Manifestation Himself gently urged him to return:

> 'Be not overcome with sorrow… Be steadfast in your service to God, who doeth whatsoever He willeth… Live in such peace as will be permitted to you.'

– From “The Chosen Highway,” pp. 122–123

Despite the painful separation, these exiles became the crucible for the global spread of the Bahá’í Faith.

The Ridván period serves not only as a remembrance of Bahá’u’lláh’s declaration but also as a celebration of divine renewal and unity.

Bahá’u’lláh's words resonate as a call to all humanity:

> 'Arise, and proclaim unto the entire creation the tidings that He Who is the All-Merciful hath directed His steps towards the Ridván and entered it. Guide, then, the people unto the garden of delight which God hath made the Throne of His Paradise.'

– Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 30

The Twelfth Day of Ridván encourages all individuals to reflect on the eternal values of faith, courage, and unity, and to recommit themselves to creating a world guided by love, peace, and justice.

According to the Baháʼí Faith, work and school should be suspended on all nine of its holy days, which commemorate significant events in the lives of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh. These holy days include Naw-Rúz, the first, ninth, and twelfth days of Ridván, the Declaration of the Báb, the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh, the Martyrdom of the Báb, and the Birth of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh.

On the first, ninth, and twelfth days of the Ridván Festival, work is prohibited.

In a letter written on behalf of the Guardian, dated June 8, 1952, to an individual believer, it states:

“As regards various matters you raised in your letters, the reason we commemorate the 1st, 9th and 12th days of Ridván as Holidays (Holy Days) is because one is the first day, one is the last day, and the third one is the ninth day, which of course is associated with the number 9. All 12 days could not be holidays, therefore these three were chosen.”

Compiled by:

Jaya Raju Thota

Greater Visakhapatnam Andhra Pradesh

India