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Mumbai Shrines - The Offical website of the Maharashtra Tourism Development
Corporation, Govt. of India
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| Mumbai
-- Shrines
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| Honoring the Muslim saint Haji Ali
this mosque, in Mumbai, was built in the middle of the sea with only a
narrow path leading to it giving it an ethereal look. As per the Muslim
traditions separate praying rooms for ladies and gents are provided here to pay
their respects. It is set 500 yards into the sea and can be reached only in low
tide. The Haji Ali mausoleum has an offshore location, opposite the Mahalakshmi
racecourse. During high tide, the connecting causeway is submerged in water
giving the impression that the mosque and tomb are floating out at sea in
splendid isolation. This is The Haji Ali Dargah, the floating tomb of a wealthy
Mohammedan merchant who renounced his worldly ways before embarking on a
pilgrimage to Mecca.
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| The structure is a slim solitary minaret. It is
linked to the mainland by a tenuous causeway, which is practically
nonnegotiable during rough monsoon, tides. Behind the sculpted entrance, a
marble courtyard contains the central shrine. Hundreds of worshippers stoop to
press their forehead against the richly brocaded red and green chaddar covering
the tomb, lying in an exquisite silver frame supported by marble pillars and is
decorated with artful mirror work: blue, green, yellow chips of glass arranged
in kaleidoscopic patterns interspersed with Arabic patterns which spell the
ninety-nine names of Allah.
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| History |
| The legend goes that Haji Ali died on a pilgrimage to
Mecca and miraculously his casket floated back to these shores. The mosque is
picturesque with a vast courtyard and refreshment stalls. It contains the tomb
of the Muslim saint Haji Ali. The saint is believed to have been a wealthy
local businessman who renounced the material world and meditated on a nearby
headland following a pilgrimage to Mecca. His devotees built the mosque and the
tomb in the early 19th century. Alternate version says that Haji Ali died while
on his pilgrimage to Mecca and his casket surprisingly floated back to Mumbai
(then Bombay).
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| Attractions of the Mosque |
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The mosque can be reached only during low tide. The whitewashed mosque also has
a cool courtyard generally full of people and refreshment stalls. The rocks
exposed during low tide at the rare end of the mosque are a favourable spot to
catch some cool sea breeze. There's nothing somber about the building's cool
courtyard, which is generally full of chattering families and refreshment
stalls.
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The Mahalaxmi Temple in Mumbai, is a
popular holy site as Mahalaxmi is the goddess of wealth. It is situated at one
end of Breach Candy -- a trendy residential and shopping area, now known as B.
Desai Road.
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| Named for Laxmi, the goddess of wealth, and her
consort Lord Vishnu, this shrine is the focus of Navratri celebrations (when
devoted Hindus offer gifts to gods and goddesses). A closed-circuit TV network
allows you to view the ceremonies without having to brave the throngs at the
entry gate.
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| Located in the Prabha
Devi area of Mumbai, this popular temple dedicated to Ganesh was
rebuilt on the site of a 200-year old temple. Built of black stone, the idol of
Ganesh is two and a half feet in height and two feet in width. An unusual
feature of the statue is that the trunk turns to the right, not often found on
Ganesh idols. Tuesday is the main day of darshan and puja, but this temple is
frequented by hundreds of devotees everyday.
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| For more information
Click here |
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