Bahá'í History Collection* 1863 Bahá'u'lláh's Declaration in the Garden of Ridván

Bahá'u'lláh declared publicly for the first time His Station as God's latest Messenger, "Him Whom God shall make manifest", as foretold by the Báb in 1844 (see our 1844 collection). This Revelation of God's guidance for today will help humanity finally achieve that world peace and unity promised in all major world faiths which the vast majority of all peoples long for.

This declaration came in a garden full of roses located on an island in the middle of the Tigris River of Baghdad and had to be reached by boat. Bahá'u'lláh named it Ridván (Paradise). He stayed for twelve days after the collaboration of two despotic rulers conspired to exile Him a second time: the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire informed Him that He and His family would be exiled to Constantinople, this after 10 years exile in Baghdad, an initial banishment from His homeland handed to Him by the Shah of the Persian Empire.

“All praise be to the one true God--exalted be His glory--inasmuch as He hath, through the Pen of the Most High, unlocked the doors of men's hearts. Every verse which this Pen hath revealed is a bright and shining portal that discloseth the glories of a saintly and pious life, of pure and stainless deeds.”
~ Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh, pp. 88-89

Bahá'ís now celebrate these days as the "King of Festivals".

Three days in this festival are tied to major events during the period of Bahá'u'lláh's stay in the garden:
* 1st day celebrates His arrival in the garden and first public declaration of His Mission
* 9th day, the arrival of His family (delayed by flooding) and significance of the number 9
* 12th day, His departure to exile in Constantinople

These three days are holy days on which work and school should be suspended -- no work or homework -- and acts of hospitality, charity and service toward humanity / the betterment of the world should fill our time.

Do you have Bahá'i friends? Perhaps you've noticed them absent on these days or perhaps they invited you to a celebration of the Ridván holy days! Enjoy!

:-)

www.bahai.org
www.bahaullah.org

** We began this set with Mr Eliasberg's penny, and today complete it with Mr Hansen's silver dollar -- thanks to these two all-time greatest collectors for the bookends. **