First Day of Ridvan

“The twelve day period commemorating Bahá’u'lláh’s announcement of his claim to prophethood and his departure from Baghdad in 1863, observed from sunset 20 April to sunset, 2 May. The first, ninth and twelfth days of Ridvan are major Bahá’í holy days on which work should be suspended. Bahá’í elections are normally held during Ridvan. The name derives from the Najibiyyih Garden in Baghdad where Bahá’u'lláh stayed during this period and to which he gave the name Ridvan (Paradise) (Walbridge 1995).”