For the worldwide Baha’i community, the Festival of Ridvan is the king of all festivals. These are those festive, joyous holy days celebrated in the last week of April every year to recall the anniversary of the garden sojourn where Baha’u’llah (1817-1892), founder of the Baha’i Faith, declared the mission of his new faith and fulfilment of religious prophecies as the Promised One of All Ages.
With this action, Baha’u’llah transformed the occasion of His banishment out of Baghdad from tragedy to triumph. Happyho also provide best tarot reading services in Noida and Delhi NCR India area.
In the Kitab-i-Aqdas, his most holy book, Baha’u’llah describes the festival as the day whereon ‘all created things were immersed in the sea of purification’. The following verses revealed by Baha’u’llah are recited by the faithful: The Divine Springtime is come, O Most Exalted Pen, for the Festival of the All-Merciful is fast approaching. Bestir thyself, and magnify before the entire creation, the name of God, and celebrate His praise, in such wise that all created things may be regenerated and made new….This is the Day whereon the unseen world crieth out: ‘Great is thy blessedness, O earth, for thou hast been made the foot-stool of thy God, and chosen as the seat of His mighty throne.’… By the righteousness of the Almighty!
Every hidden thing hath been manifested through the power of truth. All the favours of God have been sent down, as a token of His grace. The waters of everlasting life have, in their fullness, been proffered unto men. Every single cup hath been borne round by the hand of the Well-Beloved….Rejoice with exceeding gladness,O people of Baha, 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….
During this 12-day festival, the 1st, 9th and 12th days are consecrated for special prayer programmes and establishment of Baha’i administrative institutions at local and national levels for a new term. The spirit of joy and camaraderie are palpable in the Baha’i communities everywhere.
A K Merchant
