The Iconic Sufi shrine of Mumbai, Haji Ali Dargah!!!

Haji Ali Dargah, was yet another place from my bucket list in Mumbai for quite some time. We had driven many a times on the Lala Lajpatrai Marg and got the view of the dargah, but never had I visited it. Most of our visits are to Haji Ali juice center, which is at the entrance of the pathway to the Dargah, one of the finest juice centers of Mumbai, and my favourite is their Kiwi Cream bowl. On my solo wandering on a Saturday afternoon, after Aegon Religare bloggers meet, I knew where to go after Mahalaxmi temple. It was drizzling and the weather looked perfect for the walk through the pathway to the Dargah.

The Dargah as seen from Lala Lajpatrai Marg

Said to be built in 1431 in memory of wealthy muslim merchant Sayyed Peer Haji Ali Bukhari, the Dargah is on an island off the coast of Worli, a suburb of Mumbai. There is a pathway to reach the Dargah which doesn't have any barricades and open on either sides. The Dargah is closed for public entry during high-tides, when the water level reaches as high as to submerge the pathway. At the entrance of the path way are shops selling chadar(piece of cloth offered at Dargah) and flower garlands for offerings. The shopkeepers keep chasing you. They even offered me, a scarf for free if I bought chadar, as you need to enter the Dargah with your head covered. I had a scarf in my bag and just kept going, not reacting to them. There are other stalls too selling souvenirs. But the drizzle restricted me from opening my cam.

The White marble main gate

You enter the Dargah complex through a white marble gate. As soon as you enter, you find the main Dargah. There is separate hall for ladies and gents. You need to leave your footwear out and cover your head to enter the Dargah.

The Main Dargah

The complex has other prayer halls and a Qawwal Khana, a place for performing Qawwali(muslim devotional song). There is platform to sit and enjoy the Qawwali, once you are done with Dargah. I spent some time there and enjoyed my walk back in srizzles. 

Qawwali being performed at Qawwal Khana

Travel Info:
Haji Ali Dargah is on the island off Worli.
Timings: 5:30AM to 10PM, entry restricted during high tide.
Entry Fee: Free
Photographing not allowed inside the Dargah.