Haji Ali Dargah: The Spiritual Landmark Of All Faiths

 In Maharashtra, Mumbai, Travel

Everyone loves Sufi music that helps us to connect to divine intelligence, and you must have listened to the song “Piya Haji Ali” sung by A. R. Rehman in the movie Fiza. But did you know that this song is dedicated to the Sufi saint of  Haji Ali Dargah, located in Mumbai and is known as the spiritual landmark for all faiths in India? Let’s open the old pages of history and know more about Haji Ali Dargah in Mumbai.

About Haji Ali Dargah

about-haji-ali-dargah

Haji Ali Dargah is one of the most iconic mosques of India, known for its Indo-Islamic architecture located on the backdrop of the Arabian Sea of Mumbai. It is at a distance of  6 km from the main Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminal of Mumbai. The mosque is known for its architecture, spiritual significance, and mesmerizing location.

Suggested Read: Siddhi Vinayak Temple In Mumbai

History Of Haji Ali Dargah

history-of-haji-ali-dargah

If we look at the history and mystery of Haji Ali Dargah in Mumbai, it is dedicated to the Sufi saint named Sayyed Peer Haji Ali Shah Bukhari; he was one of the famous and wealthy merchants from Bukhara now Uzbekistan, who left everything, including wealth before he visited Mecca. After that, he explored places around the world and settled in Mumbai. 

There are various stories about Haji Ali Shah of Haji Ali Dargah. According to the legends Haji Ali saw a woman walking on the road with her vessel carrying oil in it, and she accidentally spilt the oil. He empathized with her and kept his finger on the spot where the oil was spilt. A few moments later, the oil started to come out from the soil and refilled her vessel, and the woman went happily. 

However, he had an alarming dream, or you could say a nightmare, that he had unintentionally damaged Mother Earth; he felt very sad about it, and his health suffered. At that moment, he decided to travel and reached the seashore of Mumbai. He decided to stay permanently in Mumbai and spread Islamic knowledge among the natives.

Another famous story of Haji Ali Dargah is related to the death of Haji Ali Shah; during his last breath, he requested his followers not to bury him directly after his death. Instead, he suggested they throw his coffin into the sea and bury him where the coffin is found. After a few days, the coffin was spotted in the small mound of Worli, Mumbai. This is the spot where the Haji Ali Dargah and his tomb came into existence. Today the Haji Ali Dargah has become one of the most popular pilgrimage sites in Mumbai, where devotees visit to seek blessings from him. 

The place was restored spontaneously in the 20th century, and new structures were built; the pathway that led to the old structure was replaced by a new one. Another fact about the Haji Ali Dargah is women have been allowed to enter the shrine since November 2016.

Architecture Of Haji Ali Dargah

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Let’s look at the architecture of the Haji Ali Dargah. You will find out that it is 700 years old and one of the best examples of Indo-Islamic architecture. The Dargah is 500 metres from the coast and remains connected to the mainland. 

The mosque is spread around 4,500 square metre and has a height of about 85 feet. Once you enter the Dargah, you will find the main structure and courtyard made of pure white marble. You will also find a dome in the center and four small spires in four corners. 

You will find the tomb of Haji Ali Shah in the shrine covered with flowers and green and red brocade sheets, or we can say “chaddar”. The coloured glass of the pillars enhances the beauty of the Dargah. Inside the shrine’s main hall, you will find the carvings of ninety-nine names of Allah.

Today, the mosque has two stories and praying rooms for men and women. You can also find a Qawwal Khana, which is specially made to conduct Qawwali sessions in the Dargah. Qawwali is a tradition of singing devotional songs to honour God; this place becomes a heaven of divine music every Friday night.   

Suggested Read: Gateway Of India: The Erected Jewel Of The Country

Places To Visit Near Haji Ali Dargah

Okay, you have visited the Dargah and explored the place, and now you are looking for places you can visit nearby. Here are some places that you can spend most of the time in Mumbai

1. Elephanta Caves

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The Elephanta Caves, also known as the Gharapurichi Leni, is located on the Elephanta Island of Mumbai. The Elephanta Caves got recognition from UNESCO’s World Heritage Site in 1987, epitomising an Indian style of architecture that represents Indian mythology. 

The cave is spread around an area of 6000 square feet consisting of a temple comprising a cave, courtyards, and several shrines. If you are a history and heritage enthusiast, visit Elephanta Caves in Mumbai. 

2. Marine Drive

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You are in Mumbai, and how can you forget about the Marine Drive of Mumbai? It is one of the most peaceful and romantic places in Mumbai. Marine Drive is known as Netaji Subhash Chandra Road and is believed to be the city’s pride. 

The Marine Drive is at a distance of 5 km from Haji Ali Dargah and easily accessible through public as well as private transport. Another beautiful name of the Marine Drive is Queen’s Necklace. 

The presence of those illuminating streetlights and massive seashores creates the design of a necklace made up of pearls. The presence of natural beauty, a local delicacy, and the seashore makes Marine Drive one of the best places to visit near Haji Ali Dargah in Mumbai.

3. Siddhi Vinayak Temple

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The Siddhi Vinayak Temple is another spiritual place you can visit after exploring the Dargah. The distance from the Dargah to the temple is about 6 km and easily accessible. The Siddhi Vinayak Temple is dedicated to the Hindu God Lord Ganesha, which holds a small idol of him made of a single piece of black stone. According to the stories, it is believed that the idol of Lord Ganesha is self-manifested and grants the wishes of the devotees.

4. Street Food Markets

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When it comes to street food, there is not an exact street food market near Haji Ali dargah; however, there are some places that you can visit to taste their delicious food. One of the famous street food roads will be Mohammad Ali Road, known for its Ramadan stalls, especially during the Ramadan season. Suppose you are interested in tasting juices and beverages. In that case, you can choose to visit the Haji Ali Juice Centre right next to Dargah, famous for its shakes and faloodas.

Restaurant Near Haji Ali Dargah

After seeking the blessings from the Dargah, do not forget to fill your stomach with delicious foods from the restaurants near Haji Ali Dargah.

Some of them are :

1. Cafe Noorani

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Source: Justdial

The Cafe Noorani is one of the best places to visit if you are interested in Mughlai cuisines that will make your taste buds crazy. They have the most delicious kebabs, tandoori recipes, and all types of biryanis. It is also a spot that offers Chinese and North-Indian dishes.

2. The Marina Upper Deck

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Source: LBB

Another place that you can look out near the Haji Ali Dargah is the Marina Upper Deck restaurant, known for its delicacy. The restaurant faces the Arabian Sea, which gives a picturesque view and serves the best seafood and other continental dishes, making it one of the best dining spots in Mumbai.

3. Bayview Cafe

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Source: HelloTravel

The Bayview Cafe is located at the Hotel Harbour View; it is a rooftop restaurant that offers a mesmerising view of the Arabian Sea and has a wide range of culinary dishes, including Chinese, Indian, and other continental dishes.

Best Time To Visit Haji Ali Dargah

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One of the best time to visit Haji Ali Dargah is said to be from October to March; it is the time when the tides of the sea remain lower and allow easy access to the Dargah. You can also visit the Dargah during festive times such as Ramadan, Eid, and the occasion of Urs, known as the most significant occasion in the Dargah. Every Thursday and Friday, you will find more than thirty thousand visitors to the mosque to seek the blessings of Haji Ali Shah.

The Haji Ali Dargah timings are as follows: 

The opening time is 5:30 am, and the closing is 10:00 pm daily.

Conclusion

The Haji Ali Dargah is not just an example of Indo-Islamic architecture but also a spiritual landmark for all the faiths in Mumbai that seeks the blessings of Haji Ali Shah. So whenever you plan to visit “The City of Dreams: Mumbai,” do not forget to visit the Haji Ali Shah Dargah to seek blessings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the owner of Haji Ali Dargah?

Mr. Abdul Sattar Merchant, who is the chairman of Haji Ali Dargah Trust, takes care of the Haji Ali Dargah.

Can a Hindu go to Haji Ali Dargah?

The Haji Ali Dargah is a spiritual and divine place of worship; irrespective of any faith or religion, people can visit the place and seek the blessings of a Haji Ali Shah.

Is there any dress code for Haji Ali Dargah?

Well, there are no restrictions on wearing jeans and tops, but it is suggested that you wear a modest dress, and the head should be covered before entering the mosque.

Who can visit Haji Ali?

The Haji Ali Dargah is a place of worship, and people from all faiths can visit the place.

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