The Festival of Ridván is a time of joy, lasting for altogether 12 days. Of these 12 days, three – the 1st, the 9th, the 12th – are Holy Days for bahá’ís.
As Bahá’u’lláh’s banishment from Baghdad to Constantinople was imminent, He declared to those present in the garden of Najíbíyyih His station as a divine educator; the revealer of the Word of God and divine guidance for mankind in this age. Bahá’u’lláh declared His teachings to be a continuation of the religions of the past and provided guidance for the construction of a new global societal order in which the diversity of humanity would be allowed to flourish and which would eventually lead mankind to peace and wellbeing. His most important message for people was: ”The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens”.
The First Day of Ridván is commemorated as the day during which Bahá’u’lláh publicly declared for the first time His station as a divine educator. He entered the wonderful garden of Najíbíyyih in Baghdad, which was exceptionally beautiful, verdant, and full of beautiful plants, trees, colorful flowers, and roses; the garden was designated as Ridván, which means ”paradise”. Numerous people flocked to see Bahá’u’lláh and bid Him farewell, having heard the Ottoman authorities were forcing Him to travel away. Bahá’u’lláh received all of these guests in the garden, many His friends, who wanted to say goodbye amidst their sorrow of having to part with Him.
The Ninth Day of Ridván marks the day when Bahá’u’lláh’s family entered the garden, and the Twelth Day of Ridván commemorates the day when the entire family was forced into long exile towards Constantinople.