Haji Ali Dargah , Mosque in Mumbai

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The Haji Ali Dargah in the Mahim Bay can be reached from Mahalaxmi by a narrow causeway, and that only at high tide, when it is above the sea. A handsome example of Indian Islamic architecture, associated with legends about doomed lovers, the dargah contains the tomb of Saint Haji Ali. It sits 500 yards off the coast in the waters of Mahim Bay, near the neighborhood of Worli. It is connected with the Mahalaxmi Temple via a small path that goes into the sea, only accessible during low tide.

Introduction

India’s economic capital and the abode of the candyfloss silver screen, the spark called Mumbai attracts thousands of moths towards itself round the year. Though it is the lure of the Bollywood glamour and the promise of a livelihood that make people run to Mumbai; the Arabian sea and the Western Ghats topped up with the lip smacking Paw Bhaji and Vada Paw along with important historical monuments like Gateway of India, Elephanta caves, Haji Ali mosque, along with the Bombay Stock Exchange, the water parks and shopping malls, this truly cosmopolitan city offers a heady cocktail of history and the contemporary. Mumbai is therefore a haven for business, movie and tour buffs alike.

Location

The Haji Ali Dargah is located off the coast of Worli, Mumbai on a tiny islet. It stands about 500 yards into the waters of the Arabian Sea.

Entrance

Haji Ali is open to everyone. It cannot be entered at high tide since the causeway leading to it gets submerged in water. The mosque looks particularly beautiful at sunset with its reflection on the crimson waters.

The look of the Mosque

This beautiful whitewashed mosque is connected to mainland by a narrow causeway that gets submerged at high tide. The white mosque reflected on the blue waters then looks serenely picturesque. The mosque is built around a plot of 2500 m with an 85 ft minaret at its centre. Beyond the gate is a marble courtyard where the edifice of saint Haji Ali stands. The tomb within is covered in red and green satin cloth like in all dargahs. The marble pillars in the main hall are adorned with colored glass chips. However, much of the beauty of this dargah is now at stake due to constant exposure to saline water.

History

This mosque was built in 1431 by the Muslim saint Haji Ali who renounced his worldly possessions and devoted himself in meditation. According to the legend, Haji Ali died on his way to Mecca and the casket carrying his body floated back to these shores. His devotees cremated him at this spot, which is now an important pilgrimage for people of all religion all over the country.

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Honoring the Muslim saint Haji Ali this mosque was built in the middle of the sea with only a narrow path leading to it giving it an ethereal look. As per the Muslim traditions separate praying rooms for ladies and gents are provided here to pay their respects. It is set 500 yards into the sea and can be reached only in low tide. The Haji Ali mausoleum has an offshore location, opposite the Mahalakshmi racecourse. During high tide, the connecting causeway is submerged in water giving the impression that the mosque and tomb are floating out at sea in splendid isolation. This is The Haji Ali Dargah, the floating tomb of a wealthy Mohammedan merchant who renounced his worldly ways before embarking on a pilgrimage to Mecca.

The structure is a slim solitary minaret. It is linked to the mainland by a tenuous causeway, which is practically nonnegotiable during rough monsoon, tides. Behind the sculpted entrance, a marble courtyard contains the central shrine. Hundreds of worshippers stoop to press their forehead against the richly brocaded red and green chaddar covering the tomb, lying in an exquisite silver frame supported by marble pillars and is decorated with artful mirror work: blue, green, yellow chips of glass arranged in kaleidoscopic patterns interspersed with Arabic patterns which spell the ninety-nine names of Allah.

History
The legend goes that Haji Ali died on a pilgrimage to Mecca and miraculously his casket floated back to these shores. The mosque is picturesque with a vast courtyard and refreshment stalls. It contains the tomb of the Muslim saint Haji Ali. The saint is believed to have been a wealthy local businessman who renounced the material world and meditated on a nearby headland following a pilgrimage to Mecca. His devotees built the mosque and the tomb in the early 19th century. Alternate version says that Haji Ali died while on his pilgrimage to Mecca and his casket surprisingly floated back to Mumbai (then Bombay).

Attractions of the Mosque
The mosque can be reached only during low tide. The whitewashed mosque also has a cool courtyard generally full of people and refreshment stalls. The rocks exposed during low tide at the rare end of the mosque are a favourable spot to catch some cool sea breeze. There’s nothing somber about the building’s cool courtyard, which is generally full of chattering families and refreshment stalls.

Honoring the Muslim saint Haji Ali this mosque was built in the middle of the sea with only a narrow path leading to it giving it an ethereal look. As per the Muslim traditions separate praying rooms for ladies and gents are provided here to pay their respects. It is set 500 yards into the sea and can be reached only in low tide. The Haji Ali mausoleum has an offshore location, opposite the Mahalakshmi racecourse. During high tide, the connecting causeway is submerged in water giving the impression that the mosque and tomb are floating out at sea in splendid isolation. This is The Haji Ali Dargah, the floating tomb of a wealthy Mohammedan merchant who renounced his worldly ways before embarking on a pilgrimage to Mecca.

The structure is a slim solitary minaret. It is linked to the mainland by a tenuous causeway, which is practically nonnegotiable during rough monsoon, tides. Behind the sculpted entrance, a marble courtyard contains the central shrine. Hundreds of worshippers stoop to press their forehead against the richly brocaded red and green chaddar covering the tomb, lying in an exquisite silver frame supported by marble pillars and is decorated with artful mirror work: blue, green, yellow chips of glass arranged in kaleidoscopic patterns interspersed with Arabic patterns which spell the ninety-nine names of Allah.

History
The legend goes that Haji Ali died on a pilgrimage to Mecca and miraculously his casket floated back to these shores. The mosque is picturesque with a vast courtyard and refreshment stalls. It contains the tomb of the Muslim saint Haji Ali. The saint is believed to have been a wealthy local businessman who renounced the material world and meditated on a nearby headland following a pilgrimage to Mecca. His devotees built the mosque and the tomb in the early 19th century. Alternate version says that Haji Ali died while on his pilgrimage to Mecca and his casket surprisingly floated back to Mumbai (then Bombay).

Attractions of the Mosque
The mosque can be reached only during low tide. The whitewashed mosque also has a cool courtyard generally full of people and refreshment stalls. The rocks exposed during low tide at the rare end of the mosque are a favourable spot to catch some cool sea breeze. There’s nothing somber about the building’s cool courtyard, which is generally full of chattering families and refreshment stalls.