Mumbai News: Baha'is Celebrate Ridvan Festival 2025, Commemorating Baha'u'llah's Message Of Unity And Peace

Mumbai: Baha'is around the world, including in Mumbai, are joyfully celebrating the Ridvan festival, a 12-day period commemorating the announcement of Baha'u'llah as the Messenger of God. This significant event marks the beginning of the Baha'i administrative year.

Ridvan marks the anniversary of the days in 1863 CE when their prophet Baha'u'llah announced to a gathering of friends that he was God's messenger for a new age, as foretold in the world's holy scriptures.

Baha'u'llah made this announcement in a garden on the banks of the Tigris River in what is now Iraq and named the garden 'Ridvan', or paradise. The festival is celebrated for 12 days at the end of April and the beginning of May.

During Ridvan, Baha'is reflect on the significance of Baha'u'llah's message and its relevance to contemporary society. They remember Baha'u'llah's message that said: "The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens." Baha'is said that this statement underscores the importance of love, unity, compassion, and cooperation in today's world.

In Mumbai, Baha'is gathered at the Baha'i Centre in New Marine Lines to celebrate this festive occasion, chanting prayers, singing praises to God, and reading from the holy writings. The celebrations culminate in the election of the Local Spiritual Assembly, a council of nine adult Baha'is over the age of 21, chosen by secret ballot to guide and serve the community for the coming year. The Baha'is do not have a clergy and are guided in their religious life by the Spiritual Assembly, the headquarters of which is located in Haifa, Israel.

The fundamental principle underlying the institution of the Local Spiritual Assembly is consultation. This process of consultation and collective decision-making is a hallmark of Baha'i governance and community life.