Urs of Hazrat Haji Ali Baba Alaihir Rahma Mumbai

Hazrat Haji Ali R.H was a revered Sufi saint whose shrine — the world-famous Haji Ali Dargah — is one of the most iconic landmarks of Mumbai and among the most recognized Islamic shrines globally, visited by over 80,000 people every week. The dargah is built on a tiny islet approximately 500 meters off the coast in the Arabian Sea, connected to the Mahalaxmi shoreline by a narrow causeway that submerges during high tide — creating the breathtaking spectacle of a white marble mosque appearing to float upon the ocean waves. According to tradition, Hazrat Haji Ali R.H was originally a prosperous merchant from Bukhara (modern Uzbekistan) named Syed Peer Haji Ali Shah Bukhari.

After performing Hajj, he experienced a spiritual transformation that led him to renounce all worldly wealth and dedicate his life entirely to the worship of Allah SWT. He traveled from Central Asia to the western coast of India, settling in what is now Mumbai, where he spent his remaining years in worship, contemplation, and service to the poor — living in complete poverty despite his former wealth. The most famous miracle associated with him is the origin of the dargah itself — after his passing, his casket (tabut) was found floating on the sea at the exact spot where the shrine now stands.

Despite all attempts, it could not be moved from that location — the sea itself had chosen his resting place, and the shrine was built upon that miraculous spot. Another narration states that once a woman was crying near the shore because she had accidentally spilled oil into the sea. Hazrat Haji Ali R.H, moved by her distress, pinched the surface of the sea and the oil gathered back — this miracle is said to explain why no oil slick ever forms near the dargah despite Mumbai's busy port.

The Haji Ali Dargah attracts millions of visitors of all faiths annually — Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs — making it a powerful symbol of India's pluralistic spiritual heritage. Bollywood celebrities, politicians, and common people alike visit seeking blessings. The shrine features stunning Indo-Islamic architecture with white marble, mirror work, and a 85-foot tower.

Its Thursday evening Qawwali sessions are legendary in Mumbai. His annual Urs on the 16th of Rabi al-Thani is celebrated with Quran recitation, Qawwali, Fatiha, and massive food distribution to thousands of devotees who walk the causeway to honor this saint whose resting place the sea itself chose.