Haji Ali Dargah, Islamic shrine on an islet in Mumbai, India

Haji Ali Dargah is a whitewashed Indo-Islamic shrine on a 4,500 sq m islet in Worli Bay, about 500 m off Mumbai, linked by a narrow causeway nearly 1 km long. Its central ribbed dome is flanked by smaller domed pinnacles, with an 85 ft tower topped by a smaller dome and a green flag. Pointed arches and pierced lattice screens open onto a marble courtyard.

The shrine was built in 1431 to honor Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari, a merchant from Central Asia who gave up his wealth and died on pilgrimage. Legend says his coffin washed ashore here, prompting the community to raise the structure on the island.

On Thursdays and Fridays pilgrims of any faith come to seek the saint's blessings, and on some Fridays Sufi musicians perform Qawwali, a devotional song form, at the shrine. The tomb is draped in a brocaded red and green chaddar over a silver frame. The 'Piya Haji Ali' song from the film Fiza was filmed here.

Access depends on tidal patterns, as high tide can submerge parts of the bridge and make the walk impossible. The best times are early morning or late afternoon when the sea recedes and the path stays dry.

Inside the courtyard you find fine mirror work and carved pillars that split sunlight into hundreds of small reflections. The central tomb stays covered with a heavy embroidered cloth that visitors honor with flower petals and coins.