The Bahá’í Calendar: A Sacred Measure of Time

Since the dawn of human civilization, the measurement of time has been essential to the organization of societies. In each religious era, the adoption of a new calendar symbolizes the transformative power of divine revelation—reshaping humanity’s understanding of material, social, and spiritual realities. Through these sacred systems, significant moments are distinguished, the human place in time and space is reimagined, and the rhythm of life is redefined.

19 Bahá’í Months

Structure of the Bahá’í Calendar

The Bahá’í calendar, known as the Badí‘ calendar, consists of 19 months, each containing 19 days. This results in a 361-day year, with an additional four or five intercalary days to align with the solar calendar.

The calendar was introduced by the Báb, who established its fundamental structure of periods, cycles, months, and days. Bahá’u’lláh later clarified and expanded upon its provisions, while ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá provided further elucidation. Under Shoghi Effendi’s direction, the calendar’s adoption was implemented in the West.

Bahá’í Holy Days

Each year, Bahá’ís around the world commemorate 11 Holy Days, each marking a moment of profound spiritual and historical significance. These sacred occasions are observed through gatherings—ranging from intimate to communal, large to small—which often include prayers, music, and reflections that honor the deeper meaning of the day.
The Bahá’í calendar is solar-based, beginning at the spring equinox. However, two Holy Days—the Birth of the Báb and the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh—follow a lunar reckoning and therefore vary each year.
Note: Bahá’ís are encouraged to suspend work and school attendance on all Holy Days except the Day of the Covenant and the Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.


  • Naw-Rúz – The Bahá’í New Year, celebrated on the vernal equinox, signifying spiritual renewal and the beginning of a new calendar year.
  • First Day of Ridván – Marks the start of the twelve-day Festival of Ridván (“Paradise” in Arabic), commemorating Bahá’u’lláh’s declaration of His mission as a Messenger of God in the Garden of Ridván near Baghdad.
  • Ninth Day of Ridván – The day Bahá’u’lláh’s family joined Him in the Garden of Ridván.
  • Twelfth Day of Ridván – The day Bahá’u’lláh and His family departed the garden to begin their journey to Constantinople.
  • Declaration of the Báb – Commemorates the Báb’s announcement of His mission on the evening of May 22, 1844, in Shiraz, Persia.
  • Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh – Marks the passing of Bahá’u’lláh in 1892, observed with reverence and prayer.
  • Martyrdom of the Báb – Honors the Báb’s execution in 1850, a moment of deep sacrifice and courage.
  • Birth of the Báb – Celebrates the birth of Siyyid `Alí-Muhammad, the Báb, in 1819 in Shiraz, Persia. (Date determined by lunar calendar)
  • Birth of Bahá’u’lláh – Celebrates the birth of Mírzá Ḥusayn-‘Alíy-i-Núrí, Bahá’u’lláh, in 1817 in Tehran, Iran. (Date determined by lunar calendar)
  • Day of the Covenant* – Commemorates Bahá’u’lláh’s appointment of His Son, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, as the Center of His Covenant and interpreter of His teachings.
  • Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá* – Marks the passing of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in 1921.
  • Other significant days
  • Ayyám-i-Há (Intercalary Days) – A joyful period prior to the Fast, dedicated to hospitality, generosity, charity, and gift-giving.
  • The 19-Day Fast – A time of spiritual discipline and reflection. From the age of 15, Bahá’ís fast from sunrise to sunset for 19 days leading up to Naw-Rúz. Exemptions apply for those who are ill, elderly, pregnant, nursing, or traveling.

  • The Spiritual Significance of Time

    Shoghi Effendi describes the spiritual transformation brought by the Báb’s new division of time:
    The Báb, the Primal Point of a new creation, brought humanity into a new division of time in a calendar of nineteen months. All through our past heritage the months of the years and the days of the week have borne the names of pagan feasts and Roman holidays. The Báb swept these ancient landmarks away, and replaced them by the Qualities of: Splendour, Glory, Beauty, Grandeur, Light, Mercy, Words, Perfection, Names, Might, Will, Knowledge, Power, Speech, Questions, Honour, Sovereignty, Dominion, and Loftiness. Meditating upon these sublime attributes, man is enabled to gaze beyond the curve of time, wherein the swing and change of planetary movements exists, to the eternal qualities that stabilize the soul.”

    Days of the Week
    The Bahá’í week begins on Saturday and ends on Friday. Unlike the Gregorian calendar, Bahá’í days begin and end at sunset rather than midnight.

    In addition to its 19-month structure, the Bahá’í calendar organizes time into 19-year cycles, known as Váḥid. Nineteen such cycles (361 years) form a Kull-i-S͟hayʼ, or Bahá’í supercycle.

    The Bahá’í calendar begins in the year 1844 CE / 1260 A.H., marking the declaration of the Báb’s mission. Each Bahá’í year follows a unique name from a cycle of 19:

    Bahá’í Months

    Bahá (Splendour)
    Jalál (Glory)
    Jamál (Beauty)
    ‘Azamat (Grandeur)
    Núr (Light)
    Raḥmat (Mercy)
    Kalimát (Words)
    Kamál (Perfection)
    Asmá’ (Names)
    ‘Izzat (Might)
    Mashíyyat (Will)
    ‘Ilm (Knowledge)
    Qudrat (Power)
    Qawl (Speech)
    Masá’il (Questions)
    Sharaf (Honour)
    Sulṭán (Sovereignty)
    Mulk (Dominion)
    Ayyám-i-Há (Intercalary Days)
    ‘Alá’ (Loftiness)”

    The names of the days of the week are as follows:

    Jalál (Glory) Sat
    Jamál (Beauty) Sun
    Kamál (Perfection) Mon
    Fiḍál (Grace) Tues
    ʻIdál (Justice) Wed
    Istijlál (Majesty) Thur
    Istiqlál (Independence) Fri

    Cycles of Years

    Alif
    Bá’
    Ab (Father)
    Dál (Grandeur)
    Báb (Gate)
    Váv
    Abad (Eternity)
    Jád (Splendor)
    Bahá (Glory)
    Ḥubb (Love)
    Bahháj (Delightful)
    Javáb (Answer)
    Aḥad (Single)
    Vahháb (Bountiful)
    Vidád (Affection)
    Badíʿ (Beginning)
    Bahí (Luminous)
    Abhá (Most Luminous)
    Váḥid (Unity)

    Learn More at Bahai.org


    Downloadable Bahá’í calendars and deeper insights at Bahá’í :
    The Bahá’í Calendar
    Nineteen-Day-Feast

    The Nineteen Day Feast

    Once every 19 days, Bahá’í communities worldwide gather for the Nineteen Day Feast—a cornerstone of Bahá’í community life.

    Ordained in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, Bahá’u’lláh counseled His followers to meet once a month, even if “only water be served.” ‘Abdu’l-Bahá described its purpose:

    “This feast is held to foster comradeship and love, to call God to mind and supplicate Him with contrite hearts, and to encourage benevolent pursuits.”

    In another passage, He emphasizes its spiritual impact:

    “It rejoiceth mind and heart. If this feast be held in the proper fashion, the friends will, once in nineteen days, find themselves spiritually restored, and endued with a power that is not of this world.”

    We would love to hear from you

    © 2025 National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States. | Privacy Policy | Terms & conditions | Site Credits

    Close

    Contact Us

    Whether you are exploring the Bahá'í Faith or looking to become an active member, there are various ways you can connect with our community.

    Please ensure that all the Required Fields* are completed before submitting.

    Please choose one or more options below*:
    Meet Bahá’ís near you or schedule a time to speak with a Bahá’í by phone or video chat.
    Have introductory material mailed to you.
    Receive a monthly round-up of new content on the bahai.us site and other features.
    I would like to find Bahá’ís in my area
    Name:
    First Name*
    Last Name*
    Contact Information:
    Street
    City*
    State*
    ZIP Code*
    Phone
    E-mail *
    Do you have any questions or comments you would like to share with us?

    characters available