Break Time!!!

Writer's block was a term which I thought was too over rated. I mean when writers want to take a break and laze around or just don't want to write they use the term Writer's block to get away from the routine. I mean they invented this word for this sole purpose. So I was scribbling for 8 days straight for a script which I have to deliver next month and I needed a break. Lets just say I was plain bored and needed to recharge my mind for better ideas instead of the same commercial hindi movie story. (Not like I am not having fun with two losers who are going to die soon, one from heart attack in couple of years and other a stinking disgusting diabetic death, but thats a different story) The producer says " It has to be a commercial family entertainer, but it should be different". It should have comedy, emotions, drama, a little bit of fight etc. Now I am thinking where to fit this word "Different" in the producer's realistic idea of story development for commercial family entertainer, but that works in Bollywood and it brings in the money so who cares.

So today I decided to take a break and relax and completely block my mind from any thoughts of commercial family entertainer. Day started at 8 am with my workout and then a nice 'sakina ka chai'. At 10 am I was ready to do nothing and my phone rang.

Me - Hello

PP - Hi, Good morning

Me- Wats up

PP - Are you free today?

Me - Yeah

PP - You want to go to Haji Ali

Me - ok When

PP - Afternoon

Me - ok

I had lived in Mumbai all my life and had been to Haji ali only ones that was last year with PP. After I went there some questions popped into my head.

Who is Peer Haji Ali?

Who made this Dargah?

Why did he built it in the sea?

So I decided to google it when I reach home. I like old temples, dargah, churches etc. So back to googling Peer Haji Ali and his Dargah.

History of Saint : Haji Ali is believed to have been a wealthy local businessman who renounced his riches after a pilgrimage to Mecca. He is believed to have drowned and died at the place where the dargah today stands. An alternative version says that Haji Ali died during his pilgrimage to Mecca in the early 19th century. His casket floated back and came to a rest near the rockbed on the sea at Mumbai, where his devotees built the dargah. The Masjid is picturesque with a vast courtyard & refreshment stalls. It contains the tomb of the Muslim saint Haji Ali. His devotees built the mosque and the tomb in the early 19th century.

About the Saint : The saint came to India with the permission of his mother with his brother and finally reached the Shores of Bombay - near Worli or at some place opposite the present tomb. His brother went to their native place. Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari {R.A} sent a letter with him to their mother informing her that he was keeping good health and that he had decided to reside at that place permanently for spreading Islam and that she should forgive him. Till his death he was praying and giving knowledge about Islam to the people and devotees regularly visiting him.

Haji Ali is a handsome example of Islamic architecture standing on an island. In fact, this holy place is visited by many devotees as well as visitors who are attracted by the beauty of the site. The widespread belief is that whoever prays to the deity here is never disappointed. A number of pilgrims come here for thanksgiving. Pir Haji Ali's Shahs sister also followed her brother's footsteps and became his companion in ascetic suffering. There is a mausoleum built for her a little distance away on Worli Bay.

History of Dargah : This monument has been sentinel to the shores of Bombay since a long time. 500 yards into the sea from the shore. The dargah was built by Haji Usman Rangikar, the man who owned the ship that took pilgrims to Mecca.

The road leading to Dargah from Lala Lajpat Rai Rd up to the gate of Haji Ali Dargah Complex was constructed in 1944, The building called Kawwal khanna, Ladies rest shade, Laterine and the Bldg for resident presently called Mashriqui and Maghribi manzil and the gate of Dargah Complex was constructed in between 1948 and 1982.

The Dargah and Mosque was reconstructed, remodeled and renovated between 1960 and 1964. The new sanatorium building was constructed by demolishing the old ground floor structure for sanitarium between 1978 and 1982. Widening and increasing the height in between 1984 and 1990 reconstructed the road leading to Dargah from Lala Lajpat Rai Marg to the gate of Haji Ali Dargah complex.

The Kinara masjid was also developed and reconstructed from time to time on the space available since last 300 years.

So now we know... atleast I know.