Haji Ali Dargah, which juts out into the sea, is being rebuilt in marble, as the present concrete structure is eroding due to saline air and harsh weather conditions.The shrine, which is around 500 years old is a prominent landmark of Mumbai that attracts between 5,000 to 10,000 devotees every day.The renovation project, which began last week and is expected to finish in two years, will focus on reconstructing the tomb, minarets and adjacent mosque in Makrana marble without changing the original architecture, Managing Trustee and Chairman of Haji Ali Dargah Trust, A H Merchant said.The project will cost around Rs 10 crore, Merchant said.The present structure is a rebuilt of concrete and steel done way back between 1960-64, but the steel used in the tomb, minarets and mosque has corroded now due to saline air, he said.The corrosion of the structure has made us rebuild it in Makrana marble which is expected to survive the harsh weather conditions for at least 250-300 years, he added."Presently we are focusing on rebuilding the tomb, minarets and mosque only. We will plan for the entire premises later," Merchant said.The shrine belongs to the saint Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari. The dome, mosque and sanitarium building were later built by some members of Memon community in 1916.The project is being appreciated by devotees who are emotionally attached to the place."It will be awesome to see the tomb draped in marble," a devotee said.Osman Shah, who is one of the regulars at the place, said that it will be a gift to those who visit the shrine of great saint with wishes and never return empty handed.The 'phoolwalas' and shopkeepers at the entrance of shrine, who make their daily bread and butter selling flowers and prayer sticks to devotees, see the transformation of shrine into marble as a promising step to retain the place and guarantee them an increase in income."It will definitely add beauty to the structure and will attract more and more people to the Dargah increasing business here," said a flower merchant at the shrine who depends upon his business here to run his family.The Dargah, which often features in Hindi films, notably in 'Coolie' and 'Fizaa', also serves as a source of inspiration to many."It will be great to see such a structure in marble. I am eagerly waiting for it to happen because I am sentimentally attached to this place," said Shyam Thakur, who visits the place for solace and inspiration.This place serves many purposes. You get solace and peace here even if you sit in a corner and do nothing, he said."I am really very excited about the renovation of the shrine, which holds a special place in my heart," said Siddiqui Farhan, who came all the way from suburban Mumbra to pay his obeisance at the shrine."It is not just a shrine for a particular community. It is an asset for all those who firmly believe in love and harmonical co-existence. It serves multiple purposes, you only need that insight," he added.
