On May 2, the Baha'is celebrate Twelfth Day of Ridvan.
Ridwan — is a twelve-day Baha'i holiday, the main events of which are the first (April 21), ninth (April 29) and twelfth (May 2) days.
In 1863, Bahá'u'lláh – founder of the Bahá'í Faith – announced His mission. The proclamation of Bahá'u'lláh is celebrated annually as the twelve-day Feast of Ridwan, which Shoghi Effendi calls « the holiest and most significant of all Bahá'í holidays».
Bahá'u'lláh's departure from Ridwan Garden at noon on May 3, 1863 was accompanied by violent manifestations of feelings.
«The confusion associated with this event, – writes an eyewitness, – can only be compared with what should affect people on the Day of Judgment or the Day of Assembly. The believers, as well as the unbelievers, groaned and mourned. Noble nobles were amazed at the sight of such grief. It is truly impossible to describe the depth of the feeling that gripped everyone and it was impossible to observe it while remaining indifferent».
Riding a kaur, a black-maned stallion of the best blood, who was given to Him by his companions, leaving behind a crowd of kneeling admirers, He rode out onto the road from where His path to Constantinople began.
«Lots of people, – says Nabil, himself a witness to this memorable scene, – kneeling on both sides of the road, kissed the dusty hooves of His horse, crowded by those who wanted to at least touch His stirrups».
«As long as manifestations of devotion were numerous, – is evidenced by one of the travelers accompanying Bahá'u'lláh, – when people, throwing themselves under horse hooves, preferred death to separation from their Beloved! Sometimes it seemed that a noble animal was treading on the bodies of these innocent people, pure in soul and heart».
«He (God), – declares Bahá'u'lláh Himself, – and none other, allowed Me to leave the city (Baghdad), covered in such glory that no one would dare deny except the very last slanderer and apostate».
He met similar manifestations of respect and honor everywhere on His path.
Materials from Shoghi Effendi's book «God passes nearby» were used.