Haji Ali, Mumbai
The story goes that in 1431 this Dargah (a shrine built over the grave of a revered religious figure) was built in memory of a wealthy Muslim merchant named Sayyed Peer Haji Ali Shah Bukhari.
On a recent trip to Mumbai I decided to go visit this place. Arriving early in the morning you walk down a narrow 1km causeway which is the only way in or out. If you get here at peak time you will be surrounded by people selling you all sorts of souvenirs and the occasional topi.
Once inside the compound, the men and woman have a different entrance to the tomb and all women must cover their head with a cloth. I observed as each person went up to the tomb and got a blessing from two priests who are inside a barricaded square housing the tomb.
A collective of young and old people were hanging around by the water next to the Dargah, most were just there passing time, hanging out and generally enjoying one of the calmer areas of Mumbai.
