The Santiago Baháʼí House of Worship inChile (optop/Getty Images/Canva)
Ridvan (say "rez-VONN") is one of the holiest holidays for the members of the Bahá'í (say "BA-hi") faith. It is also known as the "Most Great Festival" or the "King of Festivals."It lasts for 12 days.
This year, Ridvan begins at sunset on April 19th and lasts until sunset on May 1st.
Of the 12 days, there are only three holy days in which people do not go to work or school. Instead, they gather for prayers and religious meetings. Musical and artistic performances are also included in the festivities.
What is the history behind Ridvan?
Baháʼí House of Worship in Haifa, Israel. (Fotofantastika/Getty Images/Canva)
A wealthy Persian man was a supporter of a new religion. But the government didn't like it, so they kicked him out of the country! But before leaving on his long journey, the man found his way to a garden.
He ended up spending 12 days there. He admired the garden's beauty so much that he called it Ridvan — the Arabic word for paradise.
He also announced that he was the Messenger of God. And from that moment on, he would be known as Bahá’u’lláh(say "bah-HOW-oo-lah").
Nine days later his family joined him. On the 12th day, they left.
Ridvan celebrates both the beginning of the Bahá'í faith and Bahá’u’lláh’s stay in the garden. Thisall happened in 1863 — 160 years ago!
Why are there so many gardens?
Baháʼí House of Worship in Bahapur, New Delhi, India. (Gannet77Getty Images Signature/Canva)
Bahá’u’lláh’s time spent in the Garden of Ridvan is an important part of the Bahá'í faith. Gardens have a great meaning in the religion. Baha’u’llah said, “In the garden of thy heart, plant naught but the rose of love.”
Lush gardens serve as a reminder of the garden where Bahá’u’lláh remained for those 12 days.
What do Bahá'í houses of worship look like?
The Santiago Baháʼí House of Worship inChile. (Alexis Gonzalez/Getty Images/Canva)
The Bahá'í houses of worship are found all over the world. They are unique in design and architecture. Each building is nine-sided and round in shape. There are also nine walkways leading out to (you guessed it!) nine gardens.
