- Haji Ali Dargah
The Haji Ali Dargah ( _hi. हाजी अली दरगाह) ( _ur. حاجی علی درگہ) is a
mosque anddargah (tomb ) located on an islet off the coast ofWorli inMumbai . Lying as it does in the heart of the city, the "dargah" is one of the most recognizable landmarks of Mumbai. Although it is a mosque and dargah, it is very popular among Hindus fromMumbai itself, other parts ofMaharashtra and southernGujarat . It is believed that praying at the dargah helps fulfill one's wishes.The SunniBarelvi Movement of India Controls the Dargah and Masjid as is the case of most of the Masjids of Mumbai.History
The "dargah" was built in
1431 by a wealthyMuslim merchant and saint named Haji Ali who renounced all his worldly possessions before making apilgrimage toMecca . Legend has it thatHaji Ali died on his way to Mecca and his body, in itscasket , floated back to Mumbai. However, some believe that Haji Ali drowned at the place where thedargah stands today.As many as 40,000 pilgrims visit the shrine on Thursdays and Fridays.
The structure
The "dargah" is built on a tiny islet located 500 yards from the coast, in the middle of Worli Bay, in the vicinity of
Worli . The islet is linked to the city precinct of Mahalakshmi by a narrow causeway. This causeway is not bound by railings, and is lashed by the sea during high-tide. Therefore, the "dargah" is accessible only duringlow tide . This 500-yard-walk on the causeway, with the sea on both sides, is one of the highlights of a trip to the shrine.The whitewashed structure occupies an area of 4,500 metres, and an 85 foot (26 m) tower is the architectural highlight of the edifice. The tomb within the mosque is covered by a brocaded red and green "chaddar" (tomb cover sheet). It is supported by an exquisite silver frame. The main hall has marble pillars embellished with coloured mirror work: blue, green, yellow chips. The ninety-nine names ofAllah are also written on the pillars.Most of the structure is corroded due to saline winds blowing from the surrounding sea. It was last repaired in the
1960s , but civil engineers say the structure is beyond further repair. The Dargah Trust is awaiting permission to raze the structure and rebuild it with Makrana marble, the same marble used to build theTaj Mahal . Permission must be obtained from the Central Government as the shrine lies within the Coastal Regulation Zone.See also
*
Khanqah
* Ziyaret sites in IndiaReferences
*"Haji Ali to be razed, rebuilt", Manoj R Nair, pg 1, "
Mumbai Mirror ; Sunday,August 28 2005 .
* [http://www.tourismtravelindia.com/pilgrimages_tour/muslim/muslim_hajiali.html Haji Ali Dargah, Muslim Pilgrimage]
* [http://www.pilgrimage-india.com/muslim-pilgrimage/haji-ali.html Haji Ali Mosque, Pilgrimage-India.com]External links
* [http://www.tourismtravelindia.com/pilgrimages_tour/muslim/muslim_hajiali.html Haji Ali Dargah Information, Muslim Pilgrimage]
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