The Twelfth Day of Ridvan 2023: Date, History, Facts, Activities

On May 2, the twelfth day of Ridvan is observed. In Arabic, the word Ridván means ‘paradise.’ The final day of Baha’u’llah’s 1863 sojourn in the Garden of Ridván in Baghdad was the 12th day of Ridván. During this time, the Prophetic Mission of Baha’u’llah was first announced to His followers. Even though Ridván is a happy occasion, the 12th day of the festival was a sad day for those who had to remain in the garden following his departure. Baha’u’llah left the garden on a horse at noon, twelve days after his arrival.

The background of twelfth day of Ridvan

During these 12 days known as Ridvan, Baha’u’llah announced his new revelation to the world for the first time. Before Baha’u’llah’s arrival in Najibiyyih Garden, Ridvan’s tale begins with a man who called himself “the Bab” (literally, the Gate). In 1844 A.D., he asserted his identity as the Bab and predicted that a Messiah would be born in Shiraz at that time. Baha’u’llah had a revelation while incarcerated in Tehran, Iran: he was the Promised One, just as Bab had predicted.

After his release from prison, he relocated to Baghdad, where the Babi (followers of the Bab) movement was already established. Despite the fact that Baha’u’llah never made any explicit claims about his revelation, he began to accumulate an increasing number of Babi devotees. The government exiled Baha’u’llah from Baghdad to Constantinople as his prominence increased and the Babi community expanded. Baha’u’llah remained in the Najibiyyih Garden to meet with visitors and to allow his family time to pack for the journey after he had completed his own preparations.

Baha’u’llah and a small group of companions withdrew from Baghdad’s old city centre to a garden across the Tigris River 31 days after Naw-Ruz. In the Najibiyyih Garden, where he spoke to a few intimate friends and family members, he revealed his prophetic mission. Baha’u’llah also stated that religious warfare was forbidden, that another manifestation from God would not occur again for a thousand years, and that the names of God were manifest in all things during his lifespan. 11 days were spent in the Najibiyyih Garden as Baha’u’llah’s temporary residence. When he arrived in Constantinople on the twelfth day, his entire family greeted him.

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RIDVAN’S TWELVETH DAY OF ACTIVITIES

Refrain from working

On this day, no labour may be performed. You can celebrate by not working and sleeping as much as possible.

Pray

During Ridván, the Bahá’ community gathers to read audibly or privately from the Tablets. The members of the community congregate to pray together.

Gather

Members of the community assemble for festivities. The festivities commemorate the birth of the Baha’i faith.

5 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT RIDVAN

Annually, the Universal House of Justice sends the global Bahá’u’lláh community a “Ridván message” that reviews the previous year and provides additional guidance for the future year.

Ridvan is known as “King of Festivals” and “Most Great Festival.”

Typically, on the first, ninth, and twelfth days of Ridvan, employment and school are suspended.

On the twelfth day, Baha’u’llah leaves the garden.

When exiled by the Ottoman Empire, Bahá’u’lláh spent twelve days in the city before commencing his journey to Constantinople.

THE TWELFTH DAY OF RIDVAN DATES

Year	Date	Day
2023	May 2	Tuesday
2024	May 2	Thursday
2025	May 2	Friday
2026	May 2	Saturday
2027	May 2	Sunday