The dargah is dedicated to Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari, a Sufi saint from the 15th century. Hailing from Bukhara (present-day Uzbekistan), he was a wealthy merchant who renounced his material possessions to pursue a spiritual path. After completing a pilgrimage to Mecca, he traveled the world and eventually settled in Mumbai.
Legend has it that during his travels, he encountered a poor woman who had spilled her oil and feared punishment from her husband.
The compassionate saint miraculously retrieved the oil, but the incident sparked an internal conflict about his attachment to worldly things. This led him to embrace a life of devotion further
The Dargah’s Origins Mumbai, Haji Ali Dargah History
The exact date of construction for the Haji Ali Dargah is debated, but estimates place it around 1431. The dargah itself is a combination of a mosque and a tomb where Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari’s remains are believed to be laid to rest.
Architectural Marvel Mumbai, Haji Ali Dargah History
The dargah is a stunning example of Indo-Islamic architecture.
Built using Makrana marble (the same marble as the Taj Mahal! ), it stands majestically on a small islet off the coast of Worli.
A causeway connects the island to the mainland, creating a picturesque walkway that is almost magical when submerged during high tide.
A Place for All
The Mumbai, Haji Ali Dargah History transcends religious boundaries. It’s a place of pilgrimage and spiritual solace for Muslims, Hindus, and people of all faiths.
Devotees come to pay their respects, offer prayers, and seek blessings. The dargah also features qawwali performances, a form of Sufi devotional music.
Haji Ali Dargah Through the Ages
The dargah has withstood the test of time, even surviving a massive storm in 1949 and heavy rains in 2005. Today, it remains a prominent landmark of Mumbai, attracting thousands of visitors each day.
Ali Haji (born October 30, 1999) is an Indian actor who rose to fame in Yoodlee films Noblemen (2018) directed by Vandana Kataria as Shay Sharma, a struggling adolescent who goes through a life of loss and innocence at his new school.