Haji Ali's Mosque, Mumbai
About
Honoring the Muslim saint Haji Ali this mosque
was built in the middle of the sea with only
a narrow path leading to it giving it an ethereal
look. As per the Muslim traditions separate
praying rooms for ladies and gents are provided
here to pay their respects. It is set 500
yards into the sea and can be reached only
in low tide. The Haji Ali mausoleum has an
offshore location, opposite the Mahalakshmi
racecourse. During high tide, the connecting
causeway is submerged in water giving the
impression that the mosque and tomb are floating
out at sea in splendid isolation. This is
The Haji Ali Dargah, the floating tomb of
a wealthy Mohammedan merchant who renounced
his worldly ways before embarking on a pilgrimage
to Mecca.
The Structure
The structure is a slim solitary minaret.
It is linked to the mainland by a tenuous
causeway, which is practically nonnegotiable
during rough monsoon, tides. Behind the sculpted
entrance, a marble courtyard contains the
central shrine. Hundreds of worshippers stoop
to press their forehead against the richly
brocaded red and green chaddar covering the
tomb, lying in an exquisite silver frame supported
by marble pillars and is decorated with artful
mirror work: blue, green, yellow chips of
glass arranged in kaleidoscopic patterns interspersed
with Arabic patterns which spell the ninety-nine
names of Allah. Women sit behind carved partitions,
their heads bent over the Koran. Every year,
the tomb is washed with rose water, which
is then distributed among the ailing for its
healing properties and the faithful continue
to tie red threads on wooden lattices to honor
the soul of Haji Ali. It is a handsome example
of Indian Islamic architecture, associated
with legends about doomed lovers; the dargah
contains the tomb of Haji Ali.
Legend
The legend goes that Haji Ali died on a pilgrimage
to Mecca and miraculously his casket floated
back to these shores. The mosque is picturesque
with a vast courtyard and refreshment stalls.
It contains the tomb of the Muslim saint Haji
Ali. The saint is believed to have been a
wealthy local businessman who renounced the
material world and meditated on a nearby headland
following a pilgrimage to Mecca. His devotees
built the mosque and the tomb in the early
19th century. Alternate version says that
Haji Ali died while on his pilgrimage to Mecca
and his casket surprisingly floated back to
Mumbai (then Bombay).
Special Attraction
The mosque can be reached only during low
tide. The whitewashed mosque also has a cool
courtyard generally full of people and refreshment
stalls. The rocks exposed during low tide
at the rare end of the mosque are a favourable
spot to catch some cool sea breeze. There's
nothing somber about the building's cool courtyard,
which is generally full of chattering families
and refreshment stalls.
Information for Tourists
The durgah is more or less shut for visitors
and devotees during the monsoons, as the sea
is very violent and there is a high risk in
crossing the causeway. Attached to Haji's
body was a note stating that his body should
be buried wherever it lands. The body was
found on the rocky island and the durgah was
erected in his memory.
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