The Shrine of the Báb
Image source: Media.Bahai.org
LAST NIGHT was a challenge to drive down to town where Mumbai’s Bahá’í Centre is located. India is presently celebrating its most dazzling season: kicking off this week are festivities around Diwali, the biggest Hindu festival of them all, and Eid-ul-Fitr, the breaking of the Muslim Ramadan fast. All roads were jammed with vehicles and pedestrians frantically trying to reach the malls for last-minute Diwali shopping or their homes to break the Ramadan fast. Stuck in the traffic, I was obviously going to miss the commemoration of the Birth of the Báb at the Bahá’í Centre. The anniversary on 21 October is one of the nine major, non-working holy days in the Bahá'í calendar. Referred to as the Prophet-Herald of the Bahá’í Faith, the Báb (1819-1844) proclaimed the imminent arrival of Bahá'u'lláh, the Founder of the Bahá'í Faith. Bahá'ís view the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh both as “Manifestations of God”, even though the Báb's testified that His mission was subordinate to Bahá'u'lláh's. Bahá’ís commemorate His birth by holding simple but joyous gatherings open to everyone who would like to attend, There are no prescribed ceremonies, but the events often involve prayers, devotional readings, and music. View a special audio-visual presentation prepared by the Bahá'ís of New York.Related Link:
