The Twelfth Day of Ridvan marks the conclusion of the twelve-day Festival of Ridvan and commemorates Bahá'u'lláh's departure from the Garden of Ridvan in Baghdad on May 3, 1863. It was on this day that He left the garden to begin His journey into further exile, ultimately heading toward Constantinople (now Istanbul). This day is observed as one of the three holy days within the Ridvan festival—alongside the first and ninth days—on which Bahá'ís suspend work and school if possible. Eyewitness accounts describe the departure as a scene of intense emotion, with believers and onlookers alike weeping and lamenting as Bahá'u'lláh rode away on horseback.