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The Haji Ali Dargah is a
mosque and dargah (tomb) located on an islet off the coast of Worli in
the Southern part of Mumbai. Near the heart of the city proper, the
dargah is one of the most recognisable landmarks of Mumbai. An exquisite
example of Indo-Islamic Architecture, associated with legends about
doomed lovers, the dargah contains the tomb of Sayed Peer Haji Ali Shah
Bukhari.
Background
The Haji Ali Dargah was constructed in 1431 in memory of a wealthy
Muslim merchant, Sayyed Peer Haji Ali Shah Bukhari, who gave up all his
worldly possessions before making a pilgrimage to Mecca. Hailing from
Bukhara, in the ancient Persian Empire (present day Uzbekistan), Bukhari
travelled around the world in the early to mid 15th century, and then
settled in present day Mumbai.
According to legends
surrounding his life, once the Saint saw a poor woman crying on the
road, holding an empty vessel.
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Later, Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari had a recurring - and disturbing -
dream that he had injured Earth by his act. Full of remorse, he soon
fell ill and directed his followers to cast the coffin carrying his body
into the Arabian Sea, once he died. Haji Ali left this world during his
journey to Mecca and miraculously the casket carrying his body, floated
back to these shores, getting stuck in the string of rocky islets just
off the shore of Worli. Thus, the Dargah was constructed there.
On Thursdays and Fridays, the shrine is visited by at least 40,000
pilgrims. Irrespective of faith and religion, people visit the dargah to
get the blessings of the legendary saint. Sometimes, especially on
Fridays, various Sufi musicians perform a form of devotional music
called Qawwali at the dargah.
The Structure
The Dargah Sharif is built on a tiny islet located 500 meters from the
coast, in the middle of Worli Bay, in the vicinity of Worli. The edifice
is a brilliant specimen of the Indo-Islamic style of architecture. The
islet is linked to the city precinct of Mahalakshmi by a narrow
causeway, which is nearly a kilometre (0.62 mile) long.
The accessibility to the dargah is very much dependent on the tides. As,
the causeway is not bound by railings, when the causeway gets submerged
during high tide it becomes inaccessible. Therefore, the dargah is
accessible only during low tide. This 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 square meters, and an 85
foot (26 m) tower is the architectural highlight of the edifice. Behind
the sculpted entrance, a marble courtyard contains the central shrine.
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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, supported by marble pillars. The main hall has marble pillars
embellished with artistic mirror work: blue, green, yellow chips of
glass arranged in kaleidoscopic patterns interspersed with Arabic
patterns which spell the ninety-nine names of Allah.
As per
the Muslim traditions separate praying rooms for ladies and gents
are provided here to pay their respects. During the high tide, the
dargah seems completely isolated with no access. It looks more like
a little island. |
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Repair and Renovation
The four hundred year old Dargah structure has corroded, due to constant
erosion, saline winds and constant flow of 80,000 people per week. The
structural upgradation of the Dargah started in October 2008. The Dargah
will be beautified with first and second quality white marble, which
will be brought from Makrana, Rajasthan, the same place from where
marble for the Taj Mahal was brought.
The repair and structural upgradation work is envisaged to take 24
months divided into two Phases. Phase One will involve reconstruction of
Mosque and Minarets, Phase Two will involve renovation of the Sanitarium
Building. When the reconstruction work is complete, the holy shrine will
give the feel of a Taj right in Mumbai’s brackish sea water.
Sources: Wikipedia
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