An oasis of tranquility: Blue-domed dargah to Haji Ali's 'sister' restored

MUMBAI: Most people who travel along Haji Ali Sea Face have wondered at the identity of the blue dome that rises on the hillock leading to Shivsagar Estate. It crowns an exquisite mausoleum dedicated to a woman saint named Ma Hajiani, which has now been restored to its original glory.

Most people, including its fourth generation caretaker Zahir Shail, say Ma Hajiani was the sister of Haji Ali. A few others believe she was his mother.

Approximately 8,000 worshippers arrived for ziyarat (darshan) at Shab E' Baraat on Saturday night. Ma Hajiani Dargah is chiefly populated by women devotees. It is they who perform the annual ghusl (washing ritual) a day before Shab E' Baraat. It is famous as a haven of wish fulfilment. Girls who wish to get married offer green bangles to the saint and married women who seek children place red bangles.

In 2017, the family-owned Mohammed Yusuf Trust decided to restore the Grade 2 heritage structure built in Indo Saracenic style. "Its true beauty has emerged now after layers of paint have been removed," said trustee Haroun Yusuf.

Architect Vikas Dilawari who undertook the conservation said, "This is the first time I have restored an Islamic structure. It was such a privilege. Ma Hajiani is unique because it is located on an elevated plinth and gives a spectacular view of the Arabian Sea. It has a courtyard open to the sky which is a rarity. We restored and cleaned the Porbandar stone, repaired the woodwork and fitted coloured glass in the windows which reflects a golden glow under the setting sun." The dome covered in blue china mosaic was left as it is. The trustees like the symbolism as they belong to a prominent shipping family.

The plaque on site reads, "This mausoleum was built on the grave of Saint Ma Hajiani in the year 1908 as a token of devotion and reverence to glorify her pious name and sacred memory by Haji Ismail Hasham Yusuf, ship owner and pioneer of Indian shipping who died on 20th Sept 1912, and was buried according to his last wishes in the west side grave in this tomb."

Unlike the bustling Haji Ali, Ma Hajiani is an oasis of tranquility and peace where seekers spend long minutes in quiet contemplation. "We do not host qawwalis or allow beggars," said Shail.