Hello guys!!!!
Photo Location: Haji Ali Dargah
Welcome back to another Know Your Mumbai Travel Series blog.
In today's blog I am going to take you the most known and popular dargah in Mumbai which is visited not only by Mumbaikars but also the tourists around the world. It's none other than Haji Ali Dargah.
Haji Ali Dargah is a dargah (tomb) and a mosque named after Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari, one of the greatest muslim saint of his time.
Best Time To Visit:
You can visit Haji Ali Dargah anytime of the day and week. The place is always crowded but it gets more visitors on Thursdays, Fridays and festive days of islamic calendar.
Evening time is advisable to visit the dargah as the surrounding near the shore is mesmerizing.
Time: 5:30 am - 10 pm
Days Open: Weekdays and weekends
How To Reach?
Haji Ali Dargah is located on an islet off the coast of Worli in the southern part of Mumbai.
Central Line:
For central line residents, you will have to travel upto Dadar railway station and then move to western line and get into Churchgate train and get down at Mahalakshmi station. One can also get down at Byculla station and take a taxi from there to the Dargah.
Western Line:
Haji Ali Dargah is located on western line, residents can take a train or taxi or a bus to reach the dargah.
Harbour Line (Mains):
Navi Mumbaikars or harbour residents have to get down either at Kurla station or Andheri station as it is the most nearby railway route to the dargah and can further continue your journey to Mahalakshmi railway station.
Haji Ali Dargah is 2.4 kilometre away from Mahalakshmi railway station. Mumbai is well-connected with national highways and expressways. If you live in suburbs of Mumbai, take the BEST bus as it is the most economical for individual tourists. You Can also get taxi from any location to reach the temple.
History And Significance:
The Haji Ali Dargah was constructed in the year 1431. It was built in memory of Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari who was a Sufi saint from Uzbekistan and was known to be a wealthy merchant.
Bukhari gave up his wealth and settled in Mumbai during 15th century to spread the knowledge of Islam and his devotees would regularly visit him.
It is learnt from "Rivayat" (Legends) that Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari was busy in his prayer in his hometown, a lady passed-by crying and screaming. When he asked her the reason for crying, she pointed to an empty vessel in her hand and said that she had dropped some oil and if she goes home without the oil her husband would beat her. The Saint asked her to calm and went with her to the place where the oil had been dropped. He then took the vessel from the wailing lady and pushed the earth with his thumb. The oil came out like a fountain and the vessel was full.
After this incident, Bukhari was troubled by dreams of having wounded the earth by striking it in this manner. Full of remorse and grief from that day he became ill and was not keeping well. Then with the permission of his mother he traveled to India with his brother and finally reached the shores of Mumbai – near Worli or at some place opposite the present tomb. His brother went back to their native place. Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari sent a letter with him to their mother informing her that he was keeping good health and that he had decided to reside at this place permanently for the spread of Islam and that she should forgive him.
Bukhari advised his followers to not bury him at any graveyard and they should drop his 'Kafan' (Shroud) in the ocean; where only people who found his shroud could bury him.
Dargah Sharief is built at the actual spot where bukhari's shroud came to rest. Later in the years, proper tomb and dargah were built in the same place.
It is believed that Bukhari never married and has no descendents.
About Haji Ali Dargah:
The architecture of the dargah is one of the exquisite example of Indo-Islamaic culture. It is located in the middle of Worli bay and is 500 meters from the coast.
The structure of dargah is completely whitewashed with marble, including the shrine and courtyard. The main hall of the dargah has marble pillars intricated with mirror work having different colours of glasses such as green, yellow and blue which forms a kaleidoscopic pattern engraved in it are the ninety-nine names of Allah in Arabic.
The tomb which is present inside the mosque is covered with red and green chaddar. The tomb is supported by marble pillars and silver frame.
There is a seperate prayer room for both women and men who come here to offer their respects.
Irrespective of faith and religion, people from all around, visit the dargah to get the blessings of the holy saint.
Haji Ali Dargah is visited by an enormous number of pilgrims and devotees every thursdays and fridays.
At Dargah, various sufi musicians perform a form of devotional music called Qawwali every Friday.
Lakhs of devotees visit the Dargah on the second day of Ramadhan Eid and Bakri Eid (Eid-ul-Uzha).
The best part about visiting Haji Ali Dargah is that the walk on causeway from the coast to dargah comes with sea view on both sides and is one of the highlights of this place. Especially during rainy season, the dargah can be inaccessible due to high tides as the causeway gets submerged but other times (seasons) due to low tides the dargah is mostly accessible.
Other Places Around To Explore:
Haji Ali Dargah is less than a km away from Mahalakshmi Temple, one can visit both these beautiful holy places on the same day.
Other places like Mahim beach is also accessible from here. Mahalakshmi race course is also nearby. Nehru planetarium is another place you can visit. One can also visually see the famous Bandra-Worli sealink.
There are also many small parks and gardens in the vicinity of this area where you can take a rest and chill with your friends and families for few hours.
If you are looking for shopping Hira panna market is the one stop for everything you want.
There are also many stalls at the start of dargah where you will come across stalls of women accessories, various things that are used to offer inside the dargah like chaddar and rose flowers.
Where To Eat?
There are many renowned restaurants and International food joints around to munch on your favourite cuisine.
If you are looking for some chats or local food, you can see many food stalls here where you can eat whatever you desire.
Well I hope you enjoyed today's blog, so why wait take yourself to this amazing place in Mumbai and have a great day to explore it with your friends and families.
See you in the next blog.
Keep Dreamin'
Ciao.
You can now follow me on my official social media accounts here 👇:
Instagram: 👉 @travelidoscope
Twitter: 👉 @travelidoscope
YouTube: 👉 Travelidoscope
Email: 👉 Travelidoscope
Don't forget to subscribe, share, comment and like my blogs and channel's videos!
Read my other travel blogs too:
North India:
Travel 101 Series:
More Travel Blogs:
Know Your Mumbai - Travel Series:
Miscellaneous Blogs:
Comments
Post a Comment