On receipt of this new His followers were in consternation.

They besieged the house of their beloved Leader to such an extent that the family encamped in the Garden of Najib Pa_sh_a outside the town for twelve days, while the caravan was being prepared for the long journey.

It was during these twelve days (April 22 to May 3, 1863, i.e.
nineteen years after the Bab's Declaration) that Baha'u'llah announced to several of His followers the glad tidings that He was the One Whose coming had been foretold by the Bab--the Chosen of God, the Promised One of all the Prophets.

The Garden where this memorable Declaration took place has become known to Baha'is as the "Garden of Ridvan," and the days Baha'u'llah spent there are commemorated in the "Feast of Ridvan," which is held annually on the anniversary of those twelve days.

During those days Baha'u'llah, instead of being sad or depressed, showed the greatest joy, dignity and power.