For Baha’is, the New Year comes at a perfect time -- March 21 -- the vernal equinox, which marks the first day of spring and the end of the Baha'i Faith’s annual Nineteen Day Fast.

Called Naw Ruz – “new day” in Persian, the Baha'i New Year has its roots in Persia, where the Baha'i Faith originated in the mid-1800s.

Naw Ruz is one of nine holy days in the Baha'i calendar on which Baha’is suspend work. As with all Baha'i holy days, there are no set rules for observing Naw-Ruz. Baha'is often gather for prayer and a celebration that includes dinner at sunset, which signals the end of the 19-Day Baha'i Fast. 

"Praised be Thou, O my God, that Thou hast ordained Naw-Ruz as a festival unto those who have observed the Fast for love of Thee and abstained from all that is abhorrent unto thee..." Baha'i prayer for Naw Ruz