Haji Ali Dargah
From Freepedia
The Haji Ali Dargah is a mosque and tomb located on an islet off the coast of Worli in Mumbai, built by a wealthy Muslim merchant and saint named Haji Ali who renounced all his wordly possessions before making a pilgramage to Mecca. The dargah was built in 1431. It sits 500 yards from the coast in the water of Worli Bay, near the neighbourhood of Worli. It is connected with the Hindu Mahalaxmi Temple via a small causeway, usually only accessible during low tide.
Legend has it that Haji Ali died on his way to Mecca and his body, in its casket, floated back to Mumbai; however, some believe that Haji Ali drowned where the dargah stands today.
The whitewashed structure occupies an area of 4,500 metres, and 40,000 pilgrims visit the shrine on Thursdays and Fridays. An 85 foot (26 m) tower is the architectural highlight of the edifice. Most of the structure is corroded and the Dargah Trust is awaiting permission to raze the structure and rebuild it with Makrana marble, the same marble used to build the Taj Mahal. Permission must be obtained from the Central Government as it lies in the Coastal Regulation Zone. It was last repaired in the 1960s, but civil engineers say the structure is beyond further repair.
Inside, the tomb is covered by a brocaded red and green chaddar (bedsheet). It is supported by an exquisite silver frome. The main hall has marble pillars embellished with coloured mirror work: blue, green, yellow chips. Ninety-nine names of Allah is also written on the pillars.
References
- Haji Ali to be razed, rebuilt, Manoj R Nair, pg 1, Mumbai Mirror; Sunday, August 28 2005.
- Haji Ali Mosque, Pilgrimage-India.com
