Haji Ali Dargah is one of the most famous pilgrimage points for Muslims. The Dargah is situated on a small islet which is at the off coast of Southern region of Mumbai in Maharashtra. Dargah is a major decipherable and popular landmark in Maharashtra. Nearly 80,000 devotees, irrespective of religion or tribe make a visit to this mosque to seek blessings from the holy shrine. Haji Ali Dargah in-house the mausoleum of famous Muslim saint ‘Sayyed Peer Haji Ali Shah Bukhari’. Haji Ali Dargah is also a fine example of incredible Indo - Islamic design.

History

Haji Ali mosque was built in 1431. As per legends, this Dargah was built in the reminiscence of ‘Sayyed Peer Haji Ali Shah Bukhari’. It is said that he was a wealthy Muslim merchant and he donated all of his wealth prior to start his pilgrimage to holy Mecca. As per legends, once Peer Haji Ali saw a pitiable lady crying. She was holding a pot which was empty. When he asked the lady the reason for his sadness, she told him that she had spilled the vessel’s oil accidently when she stumbled and her husband would be very angry. The saint asked the lady to take him to that spot where her oil got spilled and with a jabbing of finger in the soil, lady’s oil, with a miracle, gushed out.

That night, Peer Haji Ali had a chronic and distressing dream that the saint had injured the Mother Earth with this act of his. Due to remorse, the saint fell ill. He then directed his devotees and followers to radiate the coffin (with saint’s corpse) in the Arabian Sea after he died. It is said that Peer Haji Ali died at some stage in his voyage to the pilgrimage of Mecca. As per legends, astonishingly the coffin carrying saint’s dead body got floated to the shores which are presently off the Worli’s shores. Dargah was built at the place where the casket got stuck which was a rocky island near Worli which is now world renowned as Haji Ali Dargah.

Location

It is situated in southern part of Mumbai, Maharashtra. Haji Ali Mosque is located in the Worli area of Mumbai.

Architecture

Haji Ali Dargah is a masterpiece when it comes to its architecture. Dargah is constructed on a small islet situated 500 m away from the shore, in the locality of Worli, in the center of Worli Bay. The structure is a luminous example of the architecture of Indo - Islamic design. The covered area of shrine is almost 4,500 sq m and the Dargah is almost 85 foot high.

At the back of the sculpted entry, courtyard made of marble contains the inner shrine. The chief hall has pillars made up of marble and embellished artfully with beautiful mirror work that includes green, blue and yellow glass chips arranged precisely in ‘Kaleidoscopic’ pattern. These patterns are interspersed in some Arabic patterns that further spell the 99 names of God (Allah).
The tomb inside the mosque is roofed with brocaded green and red chaddar. It is upheld by delicate silver frame which is further sustained via marble pillars. As indicated by Muslim traditions, the mosque has got different rooms for praying for gents and ladies.

How to Reach

By Air

In order to reach Haji Ali Dargah, one needs to reach Mumbai. It is well connected to all the major cities in India and to other countries as well. From airport, private cabs or taxis are available to reach Dargah.

By Train

The major one is the Chhatrapati Shivaji Railway Station which connects Mumbai to almost entire India. From here, local buses, rickshaw, autos or cabs can be taken to reach the Dargah.

By Road

Government buses connect the Mumbai to all adjacent points. Many Super Deluxe and Deluxe buses are accessible to travel in as well as out of the Mumbai which are highly reasonable too. Personal cabs or taxis are another option.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Dargah is dependent on its accessibility which is totally dependent on tides.  As, the walkway bridge is not surrounded by railings so when the walkway bridge gets flooded during high tide or rainy seasons, Dargah becomes unreachable. So the best time to visit is during summers. Rainy seasons should be avoided to visit the mosque.