Holy days

There are no set practices or services to commemorate the various holy days of the Bahá'ís. Different communities may organise devotional days of prayers and readings appropriate to the day in question.

There are 11 holy days, of which 9 are major holy days.

Bahá'ís are encouraged not to celebrate the holy days of other religions among themselves.

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The Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh

This solemn holy day commemorates the anniversary of the death of Bahá'u'lláh, the founder of the Bahá'í faith.

The Birth of the Báb

Thousands of Bahá'í followers around the world celebrate the birth of Báb on 20th October.

The Declaration of the Báb

This holy day celebrates the Báb's announcement of his mission.

The Martyrdom of the Báb

This holy day commemorates the events surrounding the death of the Báb in 1850.

Naw-Rúz

Naw-Rúz (literally 'new day') is the Bahá'í new year festival. It is an occasion for family celebration and prayer.

Nineteen Day Fast

Bahá'u'lláh designated a 19-day period of fasting each year immediately before the Bahá'í New Year.

Nineteen Day Feast

The nineteen day feast is a community meeting held at the start of every Bahá'í month.

Ridván

The Ridván Festival marks Bahá'u'lláh's time in the garden of Ridván and his announcement that he was the prophet promised by the Báb.

Personal reflections on Bahá'í holy days

Because of the lack of ritual in Bahá'í worship, no two celebrations are alike. Gary Heise from New Jersey, USA, describes his local holy days.