Haji Ali Dargah

The Haji Ali Dargah is a historical landmark in Mumbai, and is also one of the most prestigious Islamic symbols situated in South Mumbai. The Haji Ali was built by a wealthy Muslim merchant who became a saint named Haji Ali Shah Bukhari. He renounced all worldly pleasures before embarking on a pilgrimage to Mecca. The Haji Ali Dargah was built in his honor in 1431 AD. The whitewashed structure is situated in an area of 4,500 meters and is flanked by crisp, marble pillars that are still marveled at today. This 400-year-old structure that stands in Mumbai today has degenerated and corroded in many places and the structural upgradation of this marvelous structure began in 2008. People from all over the world visit the Haji Ali Dargah irrespective of caste, religion and creed.

The Haji Ali Dargah is a popular pilgrimage site today and most tourists visit the tomb of Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari to seek his blessings for wealth, health, marriage etc. On special occasions such as the death anniversary of the saint or Eid-ul-Fir, special events or programs are organized at the Haji Ali Dargah in Mumbai. The Dargah is built on a tiny islet located 500 meters from the coast, in the middle of Worli Bay,[6] in the vicinity of Worli. The edifice is a brilliant specimen of the Indo-Islamic style of architecture. The islet is linked to the city precinct of Mahalakshmi by a narrow causeway, which is nearly a kilometre (0.62 mile) long. The accessibility to the dargah is very much dependent on the tides. As, the causeway is not bound by railings, when the causeway gets submerged during high tide it becomes inaccessible[citation needed]. Therefore, the dargah is accessible only during low tide. This walk on the causeway, with the sea on both sides, is one of the highlights of a trip to the shrine.

The Haji Ali Dargah is made of 'Makrana' marble, the same whitewashed marble that Emperor Shah Jahan used to build the Taj Mahal. The Haji Ali Dargah houses two important monuments-tomb of Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari and a mosque. The architecture of this monument reflects the styles and patterns of Mughal and Indo-Islamic architecture. The Haji Ali Dargah occupies 4,500 sq. meters space and is 85 feet tall. A marble courtyard with the central shrine, and the main mosque brocaded with a red and green sheet are the first structures you see while entering the Dargah complex. Artistic marble pillars, mirror work with kaleidoscopic patterns and minarets sentinel the shrine in the center, making the monument a grand sight for all.

The Haji Ali Dargah is a 400-year-old structure and is corroding in various places. With the permission from the Central Government, the Dargah Trust is now trying to source the Makrana marble to rebuild the structure in various places. The Haji Ali Dargah was built by a wealthy merchant known as Haji Ali Shah Bukhari who decided to renounce all worldly possessions and turned into a saint just before going for a pilgrimage to Mecca. The mosque (Masjid) inside the complex and the Dargah were built in 1431 AD. It is believed that on the way to Mecca, Haji Ali perished and the casket that carried his body floated back to the 'Dargah' on its own. However, another legend states that Haji Ali drowned at the point where the Dargah now stands today. Since then, the monument has been a custodian of the shores of Mumbai.