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The Spiritual Abode of Haji Ali Dargah in Mumbai

By Akshatha Vinayak

Haji Ali Dargah is one of the well known pilgrim sites in Mumbai. Haji Ali Mosque complex houses the tomb of the saint Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari and a dargah (mosque) of Haji Ali.

Haji Ali Dargah is visited by a number of devotees every week and it is also one of the popular tourist places due to its architectural finesse in Mumbai.

Lakhs of Muslim devotees visit this pilgrimage centre and seek the blessings.

Historical Significance

Historical Significance

The Haji Ali Dargah was built in 1431, after the dead body of the saint Pir Haji Ali Shah Bhukari was found near this place.

The mosque complex was later developed and the Masjid of Haji Ali was constructed beside the tomb of the saint. This architecture is one of its kind as the complex consists of a Dargah (tomb), a Masjid (mosque) and sanatorium.

Photo Courtesy: travelwayoflife

Locality of Haji Ali Dargah

Locality of Haji Ali Dargah

Haji Ali Dargah complex is situated in a small island near the coast of Worli in Mumbai.

This islet is connected to the suburb of Mahalakshmi through a pathway. This road is constructed across the Arabian sea and it is around 1km long.

Photo Courtesy: Jagadhatri

The Style of Architecture

The Style of Architecture

The Haji Ali Dargah has the Indo-Islamic style of architecture. It has domes, minarets and a large entrance. Due to its location, the building has to be renovated from time to time.

After the renovation work in 2008, the Masjid and Dargah have been constructed with white marbles similar to the ones used in Taj Mahal. This makes it one of the scenic attractions.

Photo Courtesy: Shootatsightfoto

Legends of the Place

Legends of the Place

Pir Haji Ali Shah Bhukari was a Muslim merchant who hailed from the present day Uzbekistan. He settles in Mumbai and gives all his possessions before journeying towards Mecca.

Once Pir Haji Ali sees a woman crying loudly, he asks her about her sorrow. She tells him that the oil in her vessel got spilled and she is scared of her husband's reaction. So, the saint takes her back to the place where the oil got spilled and presses his thumb to the floor. All the oil gets back into the vessel.

After this, he gets a disturbing dream which tells him the harm he has done to the earth. In his guilt, he falls ill and requests his followers to leave his dead body in sea after his death. Surprisingly, after his death his dead body floats back to this rock in the sea. So, a Dargah was built here!

Photo Courtesy:Tawheed Manzoor

The Mosque of Haji Ali

The Mosque of Haji Ali

There is a Masjid (Darga Sherif) in the complex. It has a main hall which has three entrances.

Two separate entrances are there for men and women. Men enter the Masjid through the Southern entrance and women through the west side. There is also a hall which is reserved for women devotees.

Photo Courtesy: Nichalp

How To Reach the Haji Ali Dargah Complex

How To Reach the Haji Ali Dargah Complex

The Haji Ali Dargah is situated on a island and that is connected by a path. Usually, this causeway is open when the tides are low.

So, visiting the Dargah always depends on the tide levels. The shrine gets more crowded on Thursdays and Fridays. People walk through this pathway form Mahalakshmi area to reach the mosque.

Photo Courtesy: தகவலுழவன்

A Stroll in the Dargah Complex

A Stroll in the Dargah Complex

The complex consists of the tomb (Dargah) of the saint Pir Haji Ali Shah Bhukari, a Masjid (mosque), Qawwal Khana (a big hall for gathering) and sanatorium.

Qawwal Khana is a place where devotees can rest and sometimes it becomes a place for Sufi music programs.The scenic view of the Arabian sea and the big architecture makes it one of the popular tourist places in Mumbai.

Photo Courtesy: தகவலுழவன்

Read more about: mosques mumbai maharashtra
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