Naw-Ruz (which literally means “New Day”) in the Baha’i Faith is one of nine holy days for adherents of the Baha’i Faith worldwide and the first day of the first of 19 months in the Baha'i calendar, which was initiated by the Bab, the Forerunner of the Faith's Prophet-Founder, Baha'u'llah, who later confirmed it. It is celebrated on the day of the astronomical Northward equinox, which usually occurs on March 21.
To Baha’is the New Year also symbolizes the renewal of time in each religious dispensation. The significance of Naw-Ruz in terms of the equinox and spring-time and the new life it brings. I quote from the Baha’i Writings: “….This sacred day when the sun illumines equally the whole earth is called the equinox and the equinox is the symbol of the divine messenger….”
As with most Baha’i Holy Days, there are no particular fixed rituals or practices associated with the Baha’i holy days. So, on an international level, the celebration is generally observed with a meeting consisting of prayers, feasting and joyful celebration open to all.
The Baha’i celebration of Naw-Ruz is one of the nine Baha’i Holy Days on which work is suspended.
(Compiled by T. Jaya Raju)