Ridván (9th day)

Ridván festival holds special significance within the Baha’i faith. Ridván, meaning “paradise,” commemorates the twelve days when Baha’u’llah, the founder of the Baha’i faith, resided in a garden called Ridván in Baghdad, Iraq, in 1863.

On the ninth day of Ridván, Baha’u’llah formally announced his mission as the Promised One of all religions and the founder of a new divine revelation. This declaration, made to a small group of followers in the Ridván garden, marked the beginning of the Baha’i era and the establishment of Baha’u’llah’s prophetic mission.

For Baha’is, the ninth day of Ridván is a time of joy, celebration, and spiritual reflection. It is a day to honor the transformative message of Baha’u’llah and to renew one’s commitment to the principles of unity, peace, and justice that form the core teachings of the Baha’i faith. During this day, Baha’is gather for prayers, devotional readings, and community gatherings to commemorate the historic events of Ridván and to deepen their spiritual connection with Baha’u’llah’s teachings.