Bahá'u'lláh declares his station in the Garden of Ridván, Baghdad

Background. The Báb's writings introduced the concept of 'He whom God shall make manifest,' a Messianic figure whose coming was announced in various scriptures. Bahá'u'lláh, an Iranian religious leader exiled for his adherence to Bábism, received his mission as a manifestation of God during imprisonment. In April 1863, he announced his claim to a revelation from God in Ottoman Iraq.

Declaration. Bahá'u'lláh entered the Garden of Ridván on 22 April 1863, accompanied by his sons and secretary. Upon arrival, he declared to his companions that he was 'Him whom God shall make manifest,' the one promised by the Báb, and announced that his mission as God's latest manifestation had commenced. This private declaration forms the beginning point of the Bahá'í faith as distinct from Bábism.

Announcements. During his first day in the garden, Bahá'u'lláh made three further announcements: abrogating religious war, stating there would not be another Manifestation of God for another 1000 years, and declaring that all names of God were fully manifest in all things. These statements appear in a text written some years after 1863.

Significance. The time Bahá'u'lláh spent at the Garden of Ridván in April 1863 has very large significance for Bahá'ís. Bahá'u'lláh calls it one of two 'Most Great Festivals' and describes the first day as 'the Day of supreme felicity.' The festival is commemorated as a twelve-day period in the Bahá'í calendar.