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
Bahá’ís commemorate 11 holy days each year, marking events of profound significance. These occasions are observed with gatherings—both large and small—featuring programs that reflect the spiritual importance of the day.
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.”
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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)
Jamál (Beauty)
Kamál (Perfection)
Fiḍál (Grace)
ʻIdál (Justice)
Istijlál (Majesty)
Istiqlál (Independence)
March 1 to March 19, 2025 – Month of Fasting
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.”
