Haji Ali Dargah: The Spiritual Landmark Of All Faiths

About Haji Ali Dargah

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History Of Haji Ali Dargah

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

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.   

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Places To Visit Near Haji Ali Dargah

1. Elephanta Caves

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

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

4. Street Food Markets

Restaurant Near Haji Ali Dargah

Some of them are :

1. Cafe Noorani

2. The Marina Upper Deck

3. Bayview Cafe

Best Time To Visit Haji Ali Dargah

The Haji Ali Dargah timings are as follows: 

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

Conclusion