I Blog Poetry and Prose

The Festival of Ridvan

Kamál (Perfection), 5 Masáʼil (Questions) 176 B.E. - Monday, December 16 2019

GROUP

Blog City ~ Every Blogger's Paradise  (E) Blog City - Every Blogger's Paradise. #1972895 by Lyn's a Witchy Woman

DAY 2079: Pick a holiday you are celebrating this month: what is this holiday all about? If you are not celebrating any holiday, write about why a holiday celebration can be important?

The Festival of Ridvan

One of the holidays I celebrate is the Festival of Ridvan, which occurs between April 21 and March 2 every year. There are three Holy Days during Ridvan--the first, ninth, and twelfth day--on which work is suspended (whenever possible). Ridvan is the celebration of Baha'u'lllah's declaration, and it occurred right before his exile from Baghdad to Constantinople1. Baha'u'llah's declaration occurred on an island of the Tigress River, just outside of Baghdad.

"Rejoice with exceeding gladness, O people of Bahá, as ye call to remembrance the Day of supreme felicity, the Day whereon the Tongue of the Ancient of Days hath spoken, as He departed from His House, proceeding to the Spot from which He shed upon the whole of creation the splendours of His name, the All-Merciful..."

Baha'u'llah2

Baha'u'llah, with a group of believers, entered the Garden of Ridvan3 on April 21, 1863. After He entered, the Tigress rose preventing anyone else from going into the Garden. On the ninth day, the flood subsided enough to allow Baha'u'llah's family and more believers into the Garden. On the twelfth day, Baha'u'llah left Ridvan, and--escorted by government troops--proceeded to Constantinople.

Footnotes
1  Istanbul, Turkey
2  Days of Remembrance, Ridvan: Section 6.
3  Paradise