Leaving everything and everyone to their own devices, we all eventually discard the body we live in, during our visit to Earth as a soul. Death divides the mystic connection between the soul and the body; an experience we all go through at the end of our exploration of life and all its nuisances. After this separation, what happens to the soul remains a mystery, though what is done with the body differs according to the religion of the deceased. Muslims bury the body, as was done to the body of a merchant-turned-saint, at a place now known as the Haji Ali Dargah in Mumbai.
This Dargah has now become a landmark in the state where it is located and is frequently visited by people, irrespective of their caste or creed.
- Location: Haji Ali Dargah is located in Worli, Mumbai, Maharashtra.
- Built In: The Dargah was built in 1431 to honor Sayyed Peer Haji Ali Shah.
- Built By: The Dargah was constructed by the followers of Haji Ali Shah, a saint from Bukhara.
- Timings: Open daily from 5:30 AM to 10:00 PM, closed during high tides in the monsoon.
- Entry Fee: Free
- How to Reach: Accessible by local train to Mahalakshmi or Byculla, followed by a taxi or bus.
- Sightseeing: Visit Haji Ali Dargah, Haji Ali Mosque, Worli Sea Face, and Mahalakshmi Temple nearby.
History
The Dargah, which consists of a tomb and a mosque, dates back to the 15th century. It was constructed to house the body of Sayyed Peer Haji Ali Shah, a wealthy merchant from Bukhara (now in present-day Uzbekistan), who renounced all his possessions and became a saint.
The legends state that the saint once encountered a woman in the streets. The woman was crying as the oil she was carrying in a vessel had accidentally spilled on the road. She told the saint that her husband would beat her if he found out about the incident. The saint asked the woman where she had dropped the oil, to which she led him to the spot.
Upon reaching there, the saint simply poked his finger, and a stream of oil spurted out of the earth. The woman’s joy knew no bounds as she saw the stream of oil. She quickly filled her vessel and rushed back home.
However, this incident resulted in the saint being haunted by a recurring nightmare. He repeatedly dreamed that his act had harmed the Earth. Soon, he fell ill and instructed his followers that his coffin should not be buried after his death. Instead, it should be left in the Arabian Sea.
While traveling to Mecca, the saint passed away. Following his instructions, his followers placed the coffin in the sea. In a miraculous turn of events, the coffin floated and reached the shore of present-day Worli, where it got stuck between a group of islets.
When the people found the coffin, they decided that rather than leaving it to float in the sea, it must be buried right there. This led to the construction of the Dargah in 1431.
Initially, there was no proper pathway, and people used to visit the Dargah via a temporary path made by collecting and placing stones. This temporary pathway did not last long, and devotees were forced to walk through low tides.
It is said that all the wishes of the people visiting this Dargah are fulfilled. Despite facing several natural calamities and high tides, the Dargah and mosque have never been severely damaged or submerged in water.
In the 1940s, the present-day pathway was constructed by the Haji Ali Dargah Trust.
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Structure
The Dargah and tomb are located on an islet about 500 meters from the coast. The entire structure is built in the Indo-Islamic architectural style.
To reach the Dargah, one has to walk along a causeway, which is devoid of any boundary walls or railings. This feature of the causeway restricts access to the Dargah, as it gets submerged during high tides.
The height of the causeway was increased, making it easier for devotees to walk to the Dargah, though it still remains inaccessible during the monsoons.
The Dargah spans approximately 4,500 square meters. The central shrine of the Dargah is located near the entrance. The tomb, located within the mosque, is covered with a green and red-colored blanket. A silver frame supports the tomb, which stands on marble pillars.
The main entrance is decorated during various festivals and events observed by the Muslim community.
The structure also consists of an 85-foot-high minaret, where devotees gather in large numbers to offer prayers.
There are separate prayer rooms for men and women according to tradition.
Best Time to Visit
The Dargah and mosque remain open throughout the year. However, during the monsoon season, high tides from the sea make it impossible for visitors to cross the pathway and reach the Dargah.
How to Reach
Haji Ali Dargah is easily accessible once you reach Mumbai. Mumbai is served by local trains and B.E.S.T buses, both of which are among the busiest and most densely populated public transport systems in the world.
Visitors can board a local train to Mahalakshmi Station or Byculla Station and then hire a metered taxi or take a bus to the Dargah.
Mumbai is well-connected to almost all parts of the country and the world through its railway network and international airport. Frequent flights and express trains make it easy for tourists to visit Mumbai and explore this historical Dargah and other attractions in the city.
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