Baha’is dedicate annual fest to praying for early end to raging COVID-19 pandemic

Twelve-day celebration called Ridvan starting at sunset today to be observed virtually

Mumbai’s Baha’i community will be joining co-religionists across the world to celebrate the festival of Ridván commencing at sunset on Monday. It will continue till sunset on May 2.

The festival, during which community members recuse themselves from day-to-day work and focus on spirituality and prayer, will be observed only on virtual platforms amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nargis Gaur, secretary of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’i of Mumbai, said: “The festival marks Bahá’u’lláh’s time in the garden of Ridvan in 1863 and his announcement that he was the prophet of the God as promised by the Bab. Bahaullah had ordained this festival as the ‘Most Great Festival’.”

This year, the programs would include devotionals for the early end of the pandemic and spiritual healing of all mankind. “Three of the twelve days of Ridvan – the first, ninth and final day, falling on April 20, 28, and May 2 – have special significance. These occasions, often characterised by reflection, prayer, and reading from the Baha’i writings, remind Baha’i  that devotion to a noble cause dedicated to the service of humanity can bring us great and lasting happiness,” Gaur said.

She added: “Our aim is to keep the spirit of the holy day alive while following all protocols of social distancing.” The garden of Ridván where Baha’u’llah made his declaration is located on the banks of the river Tigris and on the outskirts of Baghdad. It means ‘paradise’.

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