Behind the Haji Ali Dargah was a small mosque with a washing area

Floating in the Arabian Sea, the Haji Ali Dargah is, as its name suggests, a mausoleum dedicated to a revered Islamic saint. Its whitewashed walls rise above the water, reachable only by a long, narrow causeway. The way it stands, seemingly suspended between land and sea, gives it the appearance of a gateway between the earthly and the divine.

At the heart of the complex lies the tomb of Haji Ali, where pilgrims gather in reverence. In India, this dargah is considered a sacred site, attracting countless visitors every day. Some come to offer prayers, others to make wishes, and some simply stand in quiet contemplation—each carrying their own form of faith into this sacred space.

With so many visitors, it’s natural that some seek blessings for worldly desires. Just as people in Japan write their wishes on ema plaques at Shinto shrines, those who come here bring their prayers and hopes into their everyday lives. Though the deities they pray to may differ, the human desire for guidance and protection remains strikingly universal.

Yet, what sets this place apart from a Shinto shrine or Buddhist temple is its strict separation between the worship of Allah and the veneration of saints. The dargah honors Haji Ali, while the adjacent mosque serves for the worship of Allah alone. This distinction reflects the fundamental teachings of Islam, where reverence for saints and prayers to the one true God remain distinct.

Beside the mosque, a small ablution area sits quietly. Before prayer, worshippers wash their hands and feet, preparing for communion with the divine. The flowing water, the quiet gestures of purification, and the hushed atmosphere create a sense of serene anticipation before worship.

Standing at the dargah, with Mumbai’s relentless energy behind me and the vast sea stretching ahead, I felt as though time had slowed. Here, far from the city’s noise, faith and devotion took on a quiet but undeniable strength—carried in the murmurs of prayers, the rhythm of lapping waves, and the unwavering belief of those who had come to seek blessings.