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“Let your vision be world embracing.”
- Bahá’u’lláh
The Baháʼí Calendar
The Bahá’í calendar, known as the Badí‘ calendar, was introduced by the Báb. Bahá’u’lláh confirmed and adopted this calendar, fixing its commencement at the year of the Báb’s declaration in 1844.
The calendar consists of 19 months of 19 days each, with the addition of intercalary days known as Ayyám-i-Há. The number of these intercalary days varies according to the timing of the vernal equinox in the northern hemisphere each year.
The Bahá’í New Year (Naw-Rúz) is astronomically fixed, coinciding with the vernal equinox. In the Bahá’í calendar, a day starts at sunset. So if Naw-Rúz falls on the Gregorian date of 21 March, then it is marked from sunset on 20 March to sunset on 21 March.
The Bahá’í calendar is essentially a solar calendar, except for the observance of the Festival of the Twin Birthdays—the Birth of the Báb and the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh—which moves year to year, taking place on the first and the second day following the occurrence of the eighth new moon after Naw-Rúz.
There are nine Bahá’í Holy Days on which work, and education, is suspended, wherever possible. We have highlighted below some of the Holy Days which might be of most interest in the classroom.
For much more on the Bahá’í calendar, please visit the Calendar section on www.bahai.org
"The adoption of a new calendar in each dispensation is a symbol of the power of Divine Revelation to reshape human perception of material, social, and spiritual reality. Through it, sacred moments are distinguished, humanity’s place in time and space reimagined, and the rhythm of life recast."
Selected Baháʼí Holy Days: a summary
Key facts about some Baháʼí Holy Days which might be of most interest in the classroom.
The equivalent Gregorian dates are shown. The timing of the Holy Days is fixed in the Baháʼí calendar but how they correspond to dates in the Gregorian calendar depends upon the timing of the equinox, which marks the start of the Baháʼí New Year. To check the Gregorian date equivalents in any Gregorian year, please refer to the Calendar section on www.bahai.org
In 2015, the final stage of the implementation of Badí‘ calendar was implemented.
This video was commissioned by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baháʼís of the UK to assist the UK Baháʼí community to understand and appreciate the Badí‘ calendar. It explains at length lunar and solar calendars, and how the Badí‘ calendar is unique.
This video assumes a basic understanding of the Baháʼí Faith. It would be most relevant at KS4 or KS5.
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A photographic narrative of the life of the founder of the Faith, Bahá'u'lláh.
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Videos & Animations
Inspirational stories of people from diverse nations whose lives have been transformed by
the Bahá'í Teachings.
The history of the growth of the Bahá'í community, from 'Abdu'l-Bahá's passing in 1921 to the present day.
Exemplar follows the life of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the profound effect He had
on people both past and present.
Experiences from Bahá'ís and their friends from around the world who are striving to build vibrant communities.
Young and old, in cities and villages around the world, are taking part in
a process of community building based on concepts enshrined in
the Bahá’í Teachings.
Young people from the UK discuss the problems facing the world and how Bahá’u’lláh’s message offers a healing remedy to address these issues.
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