The Haji Ali Dargah, located in a small island in the big island city of Mumbai is the most popular tourist destination and more importantly a pilgrim site for people from all over the country and abroad. There is a walkway, which connects the sandy shore to the holy shrine. However, at the time of high tide the pathway gets completely immersed in the waters, due to which the dargah is not accessible during high tide. Thousands of devotees throng the Dargah to seek the blessings of the 18th century sufi Saint Hazrath Haji Ali who was buried here.

Haji Ali is connected with many stories and legends. One story says that Hazrath Haji Ali was a prosperous Muslim trader who abandoned all material possessions and embarked on a pilgrimage to holy Mecca. Legend goes that he never returned and instead his body came floating in a casket. This miracle left many people spellbound and a Dargah was built here by his followers.
Another legend goes that Haji Ali was an Afghan mystic, who expressed the wish that after his death, his body in the casket should be cast off in the sea. However, the casket resurfaced; the shrine was built at the spot at which the casket carrying the body of the holy saint resurfaced.

The dargah is placed in the waters of the Worli bay. It is a majestic manifestation of Indo-Islamic architecture. In the dargah, you will find the final resting place of Saint Haji Ali. It is enveloped by an elegant and brocaded red and green sheet and is enclosed in a silver framework. The marble pillars inside the main hall are adorned with pretty glass work of varied colours like green, blue, etc. and embrace the ninety-nine names of Allah. Marble columns sustain this entire structure. The doorway to the dargah also has many wonderful carvings.

The Haji Ali Dargah does not discriminate between any religion and caste. Thus in spite of it being a Muslim shrine, people of all beliefs, religions and coming from all strata of society are found here. It is the faith of these people that bring them here.

The holy Haji Ali Dargah has a yard which is filled with people, busy soothing their parched throats and having snacks. The soft wind blowing in your face in the serene surroundings of the dargah leave you with a heavenly feel. The dargah is crowded with people every Thursday and Friday. The places where men and women sit in the dargah are demarcated from each other. This is according to the Muslim customs and beliefs.

The Haji Ali Dargah is within reach from all parts of the city. Once you reach Mumbai, you can catch a bus or hail a cab up to the pathway of the dargah. From here, however you have to cover the distance on the foot. A visit to this dargah is surely not worth missing and proves to be a memorable experience.