It all started with a visit of Nisha and her husband to my 28th floor room at the Palladium Hotel, Mumbai. We were there to attend 2015 Discover Thainess event. I had a room with the view. Over tea, they pointed out that the structure in the water was the famous Haji Ali Dargah. Now that got my attention for sure. I got an opportunity to visit the dargah the next morning.
Now that I could see the shrine from my room (this is through a zoom at 300mm) I had to go there. I was staying in Lower Parel and I decided to hail a taxi right outside the hotel. Now I was in for a pleasant surprise here. The taxi went by meter, the bill came to 46 rupees and the driver gave back the exact change! People who live in Delhi/NCR would sure understand why I am surprised. That was a good start to the trip.
The weather in Mumbai was surely warmer than Delhi but it was still quite mild. As a rule I like to walk but I am not so sure about the paths full of hawkers and destitutes. However, once again, people did try to sell things or ask for alms but no one was pushy even when it was obvious that we were tourists.
At the beginning of the path, there is a concentration of shops selling flowers, chadar and other such things. People invariably asked if I would like to buy something, but I didn’t. They were quite alright when I stopped to click a picture even without buying anything. I was either ignored or the shop owners commented on their excellent display which compelled me to stop and click pictures!
All my recent trips to Mumbai have been for events and one night affairs! This one was no different. And yet, I am getting more attracted to it with each trip. I do find it claustrophobic with all its high rises standing next to slums. The traffic makes me feel nervous but there is something about the city which surely attracts me. What it is I know not yet, but the attraction is there, it is unmistakable.
The dargah is said to be built in 1431 AD in the memory of Peer Haji Ali. It is about 500 meters inside the sea and I am told at high tide the path becomes inaccessible. So, at high tide there are chances of getting stuck within the dargah as well. It didn’t happen to me though.
There is a separate enclosure for women at the dargah. It looks like women can’t visit the main shrine but then even this vantage point gives a good view of the main shrine. Like many religious places in India, it is required that you take off your shoes to enter the main complex. You are also required to cover your head. The shrine welcomes people from all religions.
People tie a thread to the outer walls if they wish to make a wish to the saint. If your wish is granted you are supposed to come back and remove the thread.
I am told that photography at the main shrine is not allowed. However from the women’s side no one said anything when I photographed the shrine.
Even though I had very little time, the shops were so colorful that I would stop to click a few pictures even on my way back.
One of the last pictures I clicked was of this bright orange sweet dish. After looking at this mouth watering picture I realized that I should have actually tried the stuff as well. I will surely do it next time. one of the pictures I didn’t dare to click was of a person sitting by the road, he was wearing a green kurta and his white beard had orange tinch of henna. I am still so timid when it comes to clicking people.
My visit to Haji Ali Dargah was truly memorable. So long Mumbai, till we meet next.
I love watching Haji Ali from afar – a speck in the sea, connected to the shore with what looks like a faint white line from that far away. I’ve often wondered how visitors keep safe on monsoon days when the sea suddenly gets tempestuous! Oh, and ever since that AR Rahman song ‘Haji Ali’ (from Fiza?), I get reminded of it whenever I hear of or see the dargah. 🙂
I kept thinking there is some song Ami, thank you for reminding me. Will now go and search for it on youtube.
Wow Mridula, beautiful post. As soon as I opened your post, hubby was next to me and wondered, where from the view was, in the first pic, only to read, it was from Palladium. I am timid even to click the photographs of the shops, when I am not buying anything from them. Thank you for the beautiful photo series.
Meghana I was lucky with the room and that Nisha pointed out the landmark! Shops I can click but people I am way too shy. We both need to get out of it 😀
As usual a great post….pics are awesome.
Thank you so much Mahesh.
Beautiful, I have been to Mumbai so many times but never was lucky enough to visit Haji Ali… The pics look great
Prasad all my Mumbai trips are for one day. But this time I got lucky.
Lovely!!
Yet to visit!!
Deepak do go, I loved it.
Wow! You went in too!
I have crossed it many times, but yet to visit the main building , Mridula.
Cool pics. I love the sweets!
Thank you Anita, as I could see it from my hotel room, I had to go!
As usual a great post. Pics are great
Thank you Yogi.
Awesome post again.
Is the sweet in the last pic “Karachi halwa ?”
Thank you Avinash, I am not sure if this is Karachi Halwa. Now I want to eat sweets!
I am making a note of this place. Great pics. Hope i will be able to visit.
Do go Indrani you will like it, particularly if it is not crowded.
Nice to see some pictures from Haji Ali. I’ve only seen it from afar.
Divya, I liked it as it was not so crowded when I went.
Beautiful pictures Mridula! The sweey dish you have captured so beautifully that I feel like eating it right now!
I too wanted to eat it after looking at the picture 😀
Love this place. Nice post, Mridula.
Thank you Niranjan.
I visited this place last year. It didn’t impress me. Maybe because of the large crowd which was there at the time. Your pics and writing make it look more impressive.
I too don’t like crowded places but I was lucky, when I went it was not crowded at all. Hence there was scope for taking pictures as well.
Lovely pictures and I’m sure it was a great experience. Loved reading it 🙂
Thank you Parul.
Interesting details about your visit to the dargah. I have never visited it but heard a lot about wishes being fulfilled here.
Anu, I liked it, if possible do go.
Mridula ji, So beautiful photos from Haji Ali Dargah,
Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Rupam, happy to hear that you liked them.
Hey Mridula ! Finally you reached at one of my most preferred location in Mumbai. I very often go there. 3-4 years ago this shrine was even more interesting as there were no repair wok and construction done that time and the site had that something really special feel that now seems to lost somewhere. Never the less it is still very beautiful place specially in monsoon when the sea level increases and water washes away the dirt. You can check one of my video that I made on Haji ali (http://youtu.be/bbLIFVPBqzk) Suman Saurabh (Mumbai)
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and the video Suman. It is such a nice video. I wish I had seen the shrine before as well but even now it was, as you said, it was a lovely place.
So finally it happened. 🙂
I read all the comments & I can see most of the people living in Mumbai, including me, have not visited it. That gave me some solace. Next time I am coming with you. 🙂
Regarding the taxi wallas, the other day I went to meet my friend from Finland who was staying in Colaba area and the first thing he mentioned about Mumbai was that the cabbies go by meter! After so many years, I have also started falling in love with this city.
P.S.- It was such a pleasure to meet you. In fact it was V who noticed you with “Look, Mridula!” and then I saw you. 🙂
Nisha you finally mentioned V! 😀 It did happen and it was lovely. Yes next time we should go together. Living in NCR for quite sometime now I almost fell off when the taxi went by meter and the driver rendered the exact change!
Beautiful photos! I must admit that I have never been there! Hoping to change that soon…
Oh! I remember Fizaa movie song very well! Is it that place?! Wow!
The pictures are very beautiful, Mridula… Especially the first one. I have never been to a darga… So, that was an interest read 🙂
TC! Keep smiling 🙂
I remember and recollect today that I’m successful in my personal and professional life.i sit back and suddenly Haji Ali experience strikes me. I had once visited and even came out with my family after making a dua. We were walking and I suddenly got a strong slap on my face. I looked everywhere in shock to see who did this, but everyone was normally talking moving. I was awestruck to understand what happened neither did I share this experience with anybody. But today I feel that it must have been a blessing in the form of a slap.im happy with a 3 year old boy. My husband is loving and caring. He too is getting all the success. I’ve started believing that Haji Ali does have some supernatural power.i made dua to him to ask Allah to answer my prayers. And it was answered in extraordinary way.thankyou Allah for taking me to haji ali