The white Haji Ali Mausoleum building awaited us at the end of a long, narrow road stretching into the sea

Leaving behind the bustling streets of Mumbai, I followed a narrow path stretching out into the Arabian Sea. At the end of the causeway, gleaming white in the sunlight, stood the Haji Ali Dargah, its minarets reaching toward the sky. This shrine, a well-known Mumbai landmark, is not just a tourist attraction—it remains a sacred pilgrimage site for devout Muslims.

The story of Haji Ali is one of faith and destiny. Originally from Bukhara, in present-day Uzbekistan, he was a wealthy merchant who, despite his prosperity, remained deeply devoted to Islam. After completing his pilgrimage to Mecca, he settled in Mumbai. Before his death, he left behind a remarkable final wish—he did not want to be buried on land. Instead, he instructed that his coffin be set adrift in the sea, and wherever it washed ashore, a shrine should be built in his memory.

As fate would have it, his body floated to this small island, where people saw divine intervention at work. In honor of his wish, they erected the Haji Ali Dargah, which continues to attract pilgrims centuries later.

The only route to the shrine is a narrow causeway, which disappears at high tide and re-emerges when the waters recede—a passage that feels like a test of faith itself. I walked with the slow-moving crowd, making my way toward the whitewashed tomb.

Though Mumbai is predominantly Hindu, a significant Muslim population lives here as well. Yet, stepping onto this island felt like entering another world entirely. The salty breeze brushed against my skin, and the shadows of birds circling the minaret flickered against the white walls.

The Haji Ali Dargah is both a historical monument and a sacred space, where faith endures beyond time. As I moved deeper inside, I saw the tomb of Haji Ali himself, resting in silent reverence beneath pristine white marble. Around it, worshippers gathered, their voices softly murmuring prayers, their devotion filling the air with a quiet, unshakable serenity.