A cluster of white domes rising out of the blue expanse to kiss
another blue expanse. Seems that the white domes are there to
provide a vital connection between earth and heaven. After
meandering through a rocky path, one reaches Haji Ali mosque, which
is in the midst of sea. The mosque can be reahed only in low tide as
the path connecting to the mosque gets entirely submerged in water
during monsoons. In monsoon one gets the impression that entire
mosque is floating in the sea and hence Haji Ali is also called the
floating mosque of Mumbai.
History
The mosque is named after a wealthy muslim merchant Haji Ali, who
renounced all his worldly belongings before embarking a holy
plgrimage to Mecca. The legend goes that Haji Ali died on pilgrimage
and miraculously his casket floated back to these shores. The
construction of mosque took shape after this incident.
Architecture
The mosque is surrounded by lofty toweres on corners, and central
shrine can be approached through a marble courtyard. Inside there is
tomb of Haji Ali covered with green and red full length cloth.The
tomb is lying in a silver frame supported by marble pillars and is
decorated with mirror work. The faithful tie little red ribbons on
wooden lattices to honour the soul of Haji Ali.
Set 500 yards into the sea, there are separate praying rooms for
ladies and gents. 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.
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