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)