The Bahá’í year consists of 19 months of 19 days each (361 days), with the addition of “Intercalary Days” (four in ordinary and five in leap years) between the eighteenth and nineteenth months to adjust the calendar to the solar year. The months are named after the attributes of God. The Bahá’í New Year is astronomically fixed, and begins with the March equinox (March 21). The Bahá’í Era commenced with the year of the Bab’s declaration (1844 A.D.).

Each Bahá’í community holds a Nineteen Day Feast on the first day of each Bahá’í month. The Feast has spiritual, administrative and social functions and is the primary locus of fellowship and community decision-making in each Bahá’í locality. Since the Bahá’í day lasts from sunset to sunset, the Nineteen Day Feast is generally held in the evening on the day before the first day of the Bahá’í month according to the Gregorian calendar.

Bahá’í Month of Fasting

The last month in the Bahá’í calendar, March 2 to March 20, is dedicated to the Fast. During this time, Bahá’ís between 15 and 70 years of age do not eat or drink for nineteen days from sunrise to sunset, setting aside time for prayer and meditation. Exemptions from the Fast occur for illness, pregnancy, nursing mothers, extended travel and arduous physical labor.

Bahá’í Holy Days and Commemorative Days

World Religion Day (Third Sunday in January): To proclaim the oneness of religion and the belief that world religion will unify the peoples of the earth. Bahá’í-sponsored observance established in 1950 by the Bahá’ís of the United States.

Ayyam-i-ha or Intercalary Days (February 26-March 1): The Ayyam-i-ha, or “Days of Ha” are devoted to spiritual preparation for the fast, celebrating, hospitality, charity and gift giving. They are celebrated the four days, five in leap year, before the last month of the Bahá’í year.

Naw-Rúz (March 21): Bahá’í New Year’s Day astronomically fixed to commence the year on the spring equinox. One of the nine holy days of the year where work is suspended.

Festival of Ridvan (April 21-May 2): Annual Bahá’í festival commemorating the 12 days (April 21-May 2, 1863) when Baha’u’llah, the prophet-founder of the Bahá’í Faith, resided in a garden called Ridvan (Paradise) in Baghdad, Iraq. At this time he publicly proclaimed His mission as God’s messenger for this age. The first (April 21), ninth (April 29), and twelfth (May 2) days are celebrated as holy days where work is suspended.

Declaration of the Bab (May 23): Bahá’í commemoration of May 23, 1844, when the Bab, the prophet-herald of the Bahá’í Faith, announced in Shiraz, Persia, that he was the herald of a new messenger of God. One of the nine holy days of the year where work is suspended.

Ascension of Baha’u’llah (Anniversary, May 29): Bahá’í observance of the anniversary of the death in exile of Baha’u’llah, the prophet-founder of the Bahá’í Faith, on May 29, 1892. One of the nine holy days of the year where work is suspended.

Race Unity Day (Second Sunday in June): Bahá’í-sponsored observance promoting racial harmony and understanding and the essential unity of humanity. Established in 1957 by the Bahá’ís of the U.S.

Martyrdom of the Bab (July 9): Bahá’í observance of the anniversary of the execution by a firing squad, July 9, 1850, in Tabriz, Persia, of the 30-year-old Siyyid ‘Ali-Muhammad, the Bab, the prophet-herald of the Bahá’í Faith. One of the nine holy days of the year where work is suspended.

Birth of the Bab (October 20): Bahá’í observance of the anniversary of the birth, October 20, 1819, in Shiraz, Persia, of Siyyid ‘Ali-Muhammad, who later took the title of “the Bab”, meaning “the Gate”. The Bab was the prophet-herald of the Bahá’í Faith. One of the nine holy days of the year where work is suspended.

Birth of Baha’u’llah (November 12): Bahá’í observance of the anniversary of the birth of Baha’u’llah (born Mirza Husayn-‘Ali) on November 12, 1817, in Núr, Persia. Baha’u’llah, which means the “Glory of God”, was the prophet-founder of the Bahá’í Faith. One of the nine holy days of the year where work is suspended.

Day of the Covenant (November 26): Festival observed to commemorate Baha’u’llah’s appointment of his son, ‘Abdu’l-Baha as the Center of His Covenant.