The Bahai New Year is called Naw Ruz. Naw Ruz is one of the nine Holy days of Bahai community. The event takes place in the Vernal Equinox, on 21st March. It also marks the on set of Spring and the beginning of the Iranian year. The celebration of Naw Ruz also indicates spiritual growth and regeneration.

Presently, the Bahais are a popular religious sect across the world. They believe that God is an all-pervading spirit and He stays inside every being, no matter what his religion is. Besides, this pious sect believes that God figures Himself through every religion, be it in the shape of Moses, Mohammed, Krishna, Buddha or Zoroaster. They too throw light on the truth that, the entire humanity is a single race, and shares a common Destiny.

The origin of Naw Ruz is quite interesting. According to the Badi calendar, it is ‘Yamaullah’ or the Day of God. Naw Ruz is also called Bab or the Day Of Point. It is also significant, for its association with the promised Messenger of Bab, whom God will make manifest.

The Persian Bahais still observe some of the Iranian customs during Naw Ruz. On this occasion, Baha declares that there is no other God instead of Himself. He Himself is the ‘Beloved’, ‘Precious’ and ‘Indestructible’.

The Festivities of Naw Ruz

The festivities go on for long nineteen days in the month of Baha.. Bahais go through nineteen day fast before Naw Ruz. On the bright morning of the Naw Ruz they break their fast.

The nineteen-day fasting is broken with a huge feasting. The table is decorated with fruits, cakes and colored eggs. In the festivity of Naw Ruz, some symbolic factors are also very significant; a Holy Book, a mirror and the seven ‘S’s. These seven ‘S’s represent Hyacinths, Apples, Lilies, Silver Coins, Garlic, Vinegar and Rue.

On the day of Naw Ruz people do not go to work. They pray and celebrate for the whole day. The Naw Ruz festivities are full of pomp and pageantry and it culminates with a grand dinner. In the Bahai religion, instruments are prohibited. But, on the auspicious day of Naw Ruz, Bahaullah allows the Bahais to sing and play various instruments. It is also a season of sharing greetings and gift.

Thus, Naw Ruz, is a festival of prayer, mirth and fellowship, spent with remarkable calm and quiet.