Haji Ali Mosque Information :

Place :  Mumbai,  Maharashtra
Significance : Tomb of Muslim saint Haji Ali
Best Season : Throughout the year

About the Haji Ali Mosque in Mumbai : 

Situated at the end of a 500m causeway protruding into the Arabian Sea is the  whitewashed Haji Ali Mosque,  containing the tomb of a Muslim saint Haji Ali who is believed to have meditated on these very shores. It is said that Haji Ali was a wealthy  Muslim merchant who renounced all his worldly belongings before embarking on a pilgrimage to Mecca. He died in Mecca and the casket miraculously drifted and came to the spot where the mosque and tomb were built by his devotes in the early 19th century. The Mosque lies opposite to the famous Mahalakshmi temple and can be approached from Lala Rajpatrai Marg.

Haji Ali is a handsome example of Islamic architecture standing on an island. In fact, this holy place is visited by many devotees as well as visitors who are attracted by the beauty of the site. The widespread belief is that whoever prays to the deity here is never disappointed. A number of pilgrims come here for thanksgiving. Haji Ali's sister also followed her brother's footsteps and became his companion in ascetic suffering. There is a mausoleum built for her a little distance away on Worli Bay.

The mosque has a narrow concrete pathway about a kilometer built over water to reach the shrine and can only be reached at low tide. The walkway is lined with pitiful wailing beggars. A short flight of marble steps leads into the dargah where the body of the saint is enclosed in a semi-circled tomb,in an exquisite silver frame engraved with all the ninety-nine names of Allah. The top of the tomb is covered with a zari cloth and flowers and other offerings by devotees lie scattered around the tomb. The devotees pray and touch their heads and lips to the cloth. Ladies, as is the case in all mosques, have a separate room for prayers. All visitors need to remove their shoes before entering the shrine.  

During high tide the walkway to the mosque is submerged in the sea making the impression that the mosque and the tomb are floating in water.  Check the tide times in the local paper before visiting.

The courtyard of the mosque is surrounded by refreshment stalls and other kinds of shops which take away the solemnity of the place. Haji Ali is dargah is an integral part of Mumbai’s heritage and Indian culture. The rocks exposed at low tide behind the mosque are a favourite spot if you are interested in catch sea breezes. The best time to visit is on Friday or on Thursday evenings.

Features:

A pathway connects the shore to the Haji Ali mosque. The mosque was built amidst the sea with a narrow path to give it a celestial look. The path is used for reaching the shrine and can only be used during low tides. The mosque has a sprawling courtyard which represents a bright and cheerful ambience. Men and women can offer prayers in separate rooms. The gallant white structure resembles traits of Mughal art and architecture. The tomb is covered in exquisite red and green chaddar. The tomb is wrapped in a silver frame held by huge pillars and is adorned in ravishing mirror work. 99 names of the Allah are inscribed on the pillars. The white dome and minarets looks spectacular against the setting sun. The saline winds from the sea are eroding the shrine of its entire splendor. The Dargah Trust is awaiting the permission of the Central Government to refurbish it with the same Markana marble used to build the Taj Mahal.

Attractions of the Mosque :

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.

How to get there  :

by Air : Bombay's International Terminal is at Sahar, 30 kms (Ph: 8366700) and Domestic Terminal at Santacruz, 26 km (Ph: 6116009) respectively from downtown Mumbai. Most of the International Airlines, Indian Airlines Vayudoot & many other private airlines touch Bombay and connect it with the major cities of India and the world.  There are domestic flights to all the major cities of the country. 

by Rail: Mumbai has trains connecting it to all the major cities of the country. Bombay is the headquarters for both western & Central Railways. Central Railways handles services to the east and south, plus a few trains to the north. Western Railways has services to the north from Churchgate and Central stations.  Central Railways operates from the VT Railway Station (Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminal) located in the Fort area (ph: 2623535). Other railway stations are Dadar, Churchgate and Kurla.  Regular train services connect Bombay with all major towns and cities in India. Intra city trains in Mumbai are very good, and are the fastest and cheapest way to move around in Mumbai.

by Road: Mumbai is connected by good motorable road to Pune 163 km, Nasik 185 km, Mahabaleshwar 239 km, Shirdi 307 km, Aurangabad 392 km, Vadodara 432 km, Ahmedabad 545 kms, Panaji 597 kms, Hyderabad 711 kms, Bangalore 998 kms. Intra city bus services are also very good. The Maharashtra State Transport Bus Terminal (Ph: 3076622, 3074272), J B Behran Marg, is directly opposite the Central Train Station.

Local Transport: Metered black & yellow top taxies, Auto rickshaws, B.E.S.T. city buses, Electric trains are available.