Guest Author - Sandy Mullins

The Baha’i calendar or the Badi calendar was established by the Bab (The Gate) and approved by Baha’u’llah in 1844 as the first year of the calendar.

Baha’i nineteen months and years are named for attributes of God.

Like the Gregorian calendar it is based on the solar year of 365 days. The Baha’i calendar differs from this point on. The Baha’i calendar is divided into 19 months of 19 days and leaves four Intercalary Days (five in leap year) which we call Ayyam-i-Ha. Ayyam-i-Ha precedes the nineteenth month of Ala (the month of fasting) as Baha’u’llah specified.

What is Ayyam-i-Ha?
Ayyam-i-Ha is the Baha’is time to devote to spiritual preparation of the upcoming fast , hospitality, feasting, charity and gift, lasting four to 5 days depending on leap year.

When is the New Year?

Baha’is celebrate Naw Ruz (New Year) like the ancient Persians during spring equinox, with generally falls on March 22 at sunset, since the Baha’i day starts at sunset. Naw Ruz is also marks the end of the fast and the beginning of the new month of Baha (Splendour). The Festival of Naw Ruz is a joyous time of celebration and is a Baha’i Holy Day when work is to be suspended.

Why a new calendar?
Every new religion has had a new calendar, so of course The Baha’i Faith isn’t differnt.

The Gregorian calendar is based on old roman gods and emperors and was used when people used the moon to mark a new passage of time. Month might have even been short for the word “moonth”. So, doesn’t it make more sense to have a calendar that isn’t based on ancient deities and based on the cycle of the sun?

Look for more information on Baha’i calendar months and years as we progress through the calender year.

The Bab - The Baha’i World (offsite link)

Baha’i World News Ariticle on Naw Ruz (offsite link)

Baha’i Calendar (offsite link)