Masjids in Mumbai (2) :
1. Jama Masjid –
India houses numerous mosques named as Jama Masjids. Among these the largest one is in Delhi. Mumbai also has one Jama Masjid of great distinction. The Jama Masjid of Mumbai has changed its location more than once in its years of existence. The original Jama Masjid of Mumbai was situated near Dongri. It was later removed and erected at Esplanade. In 1770, this mosque too was demolished by an order of Governor William Hornby which forbade the existence of any building within 600 years of the walls of the Fort. The construction of the present Jama Masjid started in 1775. After 33 years of labour only first storey of the mosque was complete. The upper storey was added in 1837. but work on it could not be completed till 1802. The Masjid is a quadrangular pile of brick and stone encircled by a ring of terraced roofed and double storied buildings. The main eastern gate leads to an ancient tank filled with about 10 feet of water. From the depths of the tank rise 16 black stone arches which support the whole of the mosque.
2. Haji Ali Dargah –
A cluster of white domes rising out of the blue expanse to kiss another blue expanse. Seems that the white domes are there to provide a vital connection between earth and heaven. After meandering through a rocky path, one reaches Haji Ali mosque, which is in the midst of sea. The mosque can be reahed only in low tide as the path connecting to the mosque gets entirely submerged in water during monsoons. In monsoon one gets the impression that entire mosque is floating in the sea and hence Haji Ali is also called the floating mosque of Mumbai.
History
The mosque is named after a wealthy muslim merchant Haji Ali, who renounced all his worldly belongings before embarking a holy plgrimage to Mecca. The legend goes that Haji Ali died on pilgrimage and miraculously his casket floated back to these shores. The construction of mosque took shape after this incident.
Architecture
The mosque is surrounded by lofty toweres on corners, and central shrine can be approached through a marble courtyard. Inside there is tomb of Haji Ali covered with green and red full length cloth.The tomb is lying in a silver frame supported by marble pillars and is decorated with mirror work. The faithful tie little red ribbons on wooden lattices to honour the soul of Haji Ali.
Set 500 yards into the sea, there are separate praying rooms for ladies and gents. The whitewashed mosque also has a cool courtyard generally full of people and refreshment stalls. The rocks exposed during low tide at the rare end of the mosque are a favourable spot to catch some cool sea breeze.