Mosques In India

Haji Ali Dargah

Haji Ali Dargah is located to the southern part of Mumbai. It is one of most recognizable landmarks in Mumbai. It is perfect example for Indo Islamic architecture and contains domes in it. It is one of India’s most prestigious landmarks located at 500yards from Mumbai shoreline and in the middle of Arabian Sea.

History

Haji Ali Dargah is built in 1431 in remembrance of a wealthy Muslim Merchant Saied peer Haji Ali Shah Bhukhari who gave all his wealth before visiting holy place Mecca. Bhukari travelled all around the worlds in 15th century and is settled in Mumbai.

According to the saints who surround his life, a saint saw a poor women crying with a vessel in her hand is crying loudly. He stopped and asked her what the problem is; the women replies that her husband would beat her as she accidently clipped the oil that she was carrying. The saint asked her to take to the place where the oil fell down, she took him and the saint put his hand in the soil and the oil came out. The woman was happy and filled the oil in the vessel and went home. After that Bhukari had a disturbing dream that he has injured the earth by mistake of his act. He soon fell ill and told his followers to keep the coffin in the Arabian Sea after his death. Haji Ali left this world during his way to Mecca. After his death the coffin carrying his body is floated on the sea and came back to the shore which is a surprise to everyone. The coffin on its way back is stuck in between the rocks on the shore and this is where the Dargah is built in his name.

During Thursdays and Fridays the Dargah is filled with devotees who came to visit this and take the blessings of the holy saint. On some special Fridays musicians will perform devotional music here which is called as Qawwali. The Dargah will be filled with people and will look like sea of humanity.

Architecture

Haji Ali Dargah is built on a small island which is of 500 meters from the coast and is in the middle of Arabian Sea. The access to this place is completely dependent on the tides of the sea as this is not bounded by any railings and access is allowed only if there are low tides. The walk to the Dargah from the middle of the sea is one of the most beautiful experiences and will be one of the high lights of the trip.

The structure has white domes and is holy pilgrimage for the Muslims. The tomb inside the masjid is covered green and red cheddar that is sheet. The tomb is supported by silver frame which is supported by marble pillars. The main hall of prayer had marble pillars with green, yellow and blue chips and is arranged in kaleidoscopic manner which spell ninety nine names of Allah. According to Muslim Tradition separate halls for gents and ladies are present to offer their prayers. If the tides are more the Dargah is closed and no access is given. The Haji Ali Dargah almost looks like a small island in the Arabian Sea.

The four hundred year old Dargah started its renovation due to heavy flow of devotees that is about 80,000 per week. The renovation is started in 2008. The marble used for this is brought from Makrana, Rajasthan from where marble for the Taj Mahal is brought. The renovation work is completed within 24 months and looks beautiful after that.

Significance

As said this one of the prestigious pilgrimage for all the Muslims in the world. Not only Muslims but Haji Ali Dargah is visited by all religion and caste people. They visit and offer prayers and get the blessings of the holy saint Bhukari.

How to Reach There

It is easy to reach Mumbai by train, air o road. Mumbai is well connected with roads, trains and also by air.

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