Visitor Information
- Famous For: Tomb of important Saint, Mosque, Artistic architecture, Wonderful location
- Entrance Fee: There is no entrance fee for entering the shrine. It is free of cost for all the individuals. You will have to pay a minimal amount for the special rituals.
- Visiting Time: The shrine works between 0930 – 1730 hours. The shrine is open to the public from Monday – Saturday. It stays closed on Sundays though.
- Visiting Duration: If you start marveling at its charismatic architecture, even an entire day is not enough for this wonderful place! But usually n an average you need about 1-2 hours to visit this entire shrine.
Haji Ali Shrine is a very important place for the Muslim community. It is quite revered and is visited by a large number of people as a part of their pilgrimage. The shrine is situated on an island like location and surrounded by the Arabian Sea. Access to it is restricted through a narrow walkway which is only possible during low tides.
This place is very welcoming to people of different religions and cultures, depicting the communal harmony that exists in our diverse nation.
Traveler Tips
- Be aware of the time at which you are visiting the shrine. During high tides, the pathway gets submerged blocking the access to the shrine. It’s better to enquire about it before hand to prevent inconveniences.
- The pathway does not have any secure railings. Always be aware of your surroundings. There is a possibility that you might slip on the way.
- Carry shades or caps to escape the hot sun during summers. It can be quite unbearable at times.
- The authorities are really strict about the dress code, especially for the women. Remember to dress up in decent clothes.
- There are separate prayer halls for the men and women. They are separated at the respective entrance.
- Photography is restricted. Do not hurt the people’s sentiments unknowingly.
Things to Do
- Visit the shrine of Saint Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari.
- Spend a few moments in the prayer hall of the mosque, to partake some blessings.
- Take some pictures of the adjoining picturesque areas.
- Feast on the local cuisine especially the mouth-watering kebabs.
- Go for a shopping spree at Fashion Street and Crawford Market.
- Loosen up at Mahim Beach.
Availability of Guides
You don’t need a guide to take you along in the shrine. It’s quite straight forward and the directions are quite self-explanatory. But you can always get a guide from a local tourism agency according to your requirements.
Best Time to Visit
Mumbai has great weather throughout the year. Apart from the summers it is pretty cool all the time. The best time, though to visit would be between July – April. During this ime you will enjoy a reasonably comfortable stay.
How to Reach
Mumbai is a major metropolitan city of the country. It is extensively connected to all the nearby major cities by air and rail. Once inside Mumbai, you will always find buses and autos to move to the required location. Private taxis are always in your disposal for personal comfort.
Interesting Facts and Trivia about Haji Ali Shrine
- Built in 1431 AD, this beautiful shrine was built by Haji Ali Shah Bukhari. According to stories, he was a very affluent man, but gave up his possessions to become a saint later in his life. There are numerous legends associated with how the shrine came to be.
- The shrine has been made entirely out of white ‘Makrana marble’. The tomb is an enchanting combination of Indo-Islamic and Mughal architecture. The entire compound is pretty huge at around 4500 sq. mts.
- The entire mosque and tomb is created quite beautifully. Especially the towering white minarets and artistic carved pillars are an enrapturing sight. Though it is about 400 years old, it still manages to leave people at awe with a single glance.
- The pillars are embedded with colored glass in various patterns. When the sun comes out, it casts a very colorful shadow. Another beautiful aspect about these pillars, is that they have the 99 names of Allah in Arabic.
- This shrine finds itself host to thousands of visitors every day. During Ramdan Eid and Bakrid this number climbs into lakhs. The entire pathway resembles a river of humans trying to get the blessings.
Nearby Attractions
- Marine Drive
- Gateway of India
- Juhu Beach
- Siddhivinayak Temple
- Mahkali Caves
- Essel World
- Mani Bhavan
- Chowpatty Beach
- Five Gardens
- Elephanta Caves
Nearby Places to Eat
- Gallops
- Café Noorani
- Doppio Bar and Brasseire
- Swati Snacks
- Kanishka
- Shobha Veg Restaurant
- Ministry of Salads
- Copper Chimney
- Pa Pa Ya
- China Bistro
Situated on the thin rocky jetty, this humongous white shrine is an amazing example of Indian craftsmanship. It’s a great place to go and relax at.
Don’t waste any more of your time. Just pack in your stuff, and depart on a journey to a wonderful place in Mumbai. It is a must-see place whenever you find yourself in Mumbai.
