In
a span of 15 days in Hyderabad at the beginning of 2016,
knowingly-unknowingly I visited Moula Ali precisely 4 times
including one at the sunrise! That is some miracle for me for I
usually not very attached to holy places as I believe Allah is
present just everywhere. But then this is not about God I assume.
Truly something else which I am still discovering.
The steps
Boulders with inscription and names of Hazrat Ali's family
From the Dargah at the sunrise
Khadam-E-Rasool
Moula
Ali located about 10 kilo-meters from Secunderabad railway station,
stands on top of a hill consisting of Moula Ali Dargah dedicated to
Hazrat Imam Ali, son-in-law of Prophet Mohammed.
Built
during the Asaf Jahi era the bargah is one of the 11 heritage sites
identified by the heritage conversation committee of Hyderabad.
Brace
yourself to climb some 500 odd steps to reach the top of the hill
where the actual dargah is located. Halfway up just turn around to
see the most breathtaking view of the Secunderabad area. The city has
definitely stretched beyond your imagination. Its also interesting to
note how seamlessly the heritage structures have collaborated with
modern structures around you. One has to look at the interiors of
this place to believe it. Simple, quiet striking green and white
facade the place glows due to its sheer placement of hundreds of tiny
mirrors all over the walls of the inner chamber. There is a satin
silk curtain that only muslims are allowed to go behind it to touch
the imprint of the right hand palm rumoured to be Hazrat Ali's.
A lady who looks after the place
The main chamber
The entrance to the chamber
breathtaking view of the Secunderabad area
By the sunset
sunset
After
paying our respects we stepped out and walked down at the nearby
rocky slope of the hill to view the sunset. One of the best spots in
the city I guess to see one of the most spectacular sunset unveiling
before your eyes in pure 360 degree!
I
was lucky enough to witness three sunsets and one sunrise.
Night
view is beautiful. We suggest you go towards the evening, watch the
lights come on and climb down before it gets too dark as it could get
a little isolated after that. Don’t venture too far away from the
Dargah steps in the dark.
