Bahá’í Month of Fasting
March 2 - March 20
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The last month in the Bahá’í calendar, ‘Alá’ (Loftiness), is dedicated to the Bahá’í Fast. During this time, Bahá’ís between 15 and 70 years of age do not eat or drink for 19 days from sunrise to sunset and set aside time for prayer and meditation. Exemptions from the Fast occur for illness, pregnancy, nursing mothers, extended travel and arduous physical labor.
About the Bahá’í Calendar and Holy Days
The Baha’i Faith has its own calendar, called the Badí’ Calendar. It is a solar calendar consisting of 19 months of 19 days each (361 days), plus “Intercalary Days” (four in ordinary years and five in leap years) to adjust the calendar to the solar year. The days and months are named after the attributes of God. The Nineteen Day Feast, the primary community gathering for Baha’is in each town and city, is held on the first day of each Baha’i month. Eleven Holy Days mark significant events in Baha’i history.
