The Haji Ali Mosque is situated on an islet near the coast of Worli in Mumbai.
Despite the fact that this structure is a mosque and dargah, it is extremely famous amongst the Hindu population in Mumbai, Maharashtra and South Gujarat.

Haji Ali Dargah is one of the most popular religious places in Mumbai, visited by Hindus and Muslims alike. It is basically the tomb of Haji Ali, a wealthy merchant who renounced all the worldly possessions and became a saint, after he returned from a pilgrimage to Mecca. Along with the tomb, there is also a mosque at Haji Ali. There are two different accounts of how the tomb of Haji Ali came into being. As per one version, the saint drowned in the sea and his devotees built a tomb at the spot where he died.

Another version goes that Haji Ali died on his pilgrimage to Mecca and his body was put in a casket. The casket is said to have floated back to Bombay, stopping near the rock bed on the sea here. The place where his casket was found later served as the venue of his dargah (tomb), built by his devotees. Haji Ali Dargah is situated on an islet, in the middle of Worli Bay, located off the coast of Worli. It is visited by a large number of devotes every day. The rush particularly swells on Thursdays and Fridays.

It is a common belief among people that if one pray’s at this durgah, his/her wishes are fulfilled. This mosque is controlled by the Sunni Barelvi Movement of India. The mosque is spread over an area of 4,500 meters.

There is an 85 foot high tower. The tomb in the mosque has a red and green brocaded tomb cover sheet and an impressive silver frame. The main hall has some marble pillars that are decorated with yellow, green and blue mirror chips.

A pathway connects the shore to the Haji Ali mosque. The mosque was built amidst the sea with a narrow path to give it a celestial look. The path is used for reaching the shrine and can only be used during low tides. The mosque has a sprawling courtyard which represents a bright and cheerful ambience. Men and women can offer prayers in separate rooms. The gallant white structure resembles traits of Mughal art and architecture. The tomb is covered in exquisite red and green chaddar. The tomb is wrapped in a silver frame held by huge pillars and is adorned in ravishing mirror work. 99 names of the Allah are inscribed on the pillars. The white dome and minarets looks spectacular against the setting sun. The saline winds from the sea are eroding the shrine of its entire splendor.

The Masjid has a narrow concrete pathway about a kilometer built over water to reach the shrine and can only be reached at low tide.

The walkway is lined with pitiful wailing beggars. The courtyard of the Masjid is surrounded by refreshment stalls and other kinds of shops which take away the solemnity of the place. Haji Ali dargah is an integral part of Mumbai’s heritage and Indian culture. The rocks exposed at low tide behind the Masjid are a favourite spot if you are interested in catch sea breezes. The best time to visit is on Friday or on Thursday evenings.

The Masjid can be reached only during low tide. The whitewashed Masjid also has a cool courtyard generally full of people and refreshment stalls. The rocks exposed during low tide at the rare end of the Masjid 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.

A short flight of marble steps leads into the dargah where the body of the saint is enclosed in a semi-circled tomb, in an exquisite silver frame engraved with all the ninety-nine names of Allah. The top of the tomb is covered with a zari cloth and flowers and other offerings by devotees lie scattered around the tomb. The devotees pray and touch their heads and lips to the cloth. Ladies, as is the case in all mosques, have a separate room for prayers. All visitors need to remove their shoes before entering the shrine.