Haji Ali Dargah, Islamic shrine on an islet in Mumbai, India
Haji Ali Dargah is a shrine on a small rocky island off the coast of Mumbai, reachable only by a narrow stone bridge about 500 meters long. The white marble building rises from the Arabian Sea and is surrounded by low walls that enclose a courtyard and several domed rooms.
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.
During prayer times the grounds fill with worshippers singing and reciting, while visitors of any background are welcome to share in the quiet. Outside the shrine rooms women and men often sit separately, but the atmosphere remains open and respectful as long as you dress modestly and move calmly.
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.
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