Moula Ali Dargah, the Sufi shrine perched on the top of a hillock called Moula Ali. It is located in the Malkajgiri Mandal which is at a distance of 10 km from Secunderabad. The dargah is recognized as one of the 11 heritage sites listed out by the Heritage Conservation Committee of HUDA. One has to climb almost 500 steps to reach the hilltop of the dargah, as the steps aren’t too steep, will not make you strenuous to climb. This dargah has come into existence during the Qutb Shahi times and was built in the memory of Hazrat Ali (son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad) by Asif Jahis.
Once you climb the hillock, it gives a breathtaking view of the city. The dargah is led through a pretty old chamber, inside you will see hundreds of beautifully decorated frosted glass in lively colours and the detailed carvings on the walls, scriptures and framed pictures give a vibrant appearance to the dargah. Unlike other dargahs, this one doesn’t have anybody’s mortal remains. You will find an imprint of Ali’s palm on a stone, hidden behind a screen, with an arch built over it. Opposite to the Moula Ali hill, you will find another hillock called “Qadm-e-Rasool”.
At the doorway of the dargah, you can see many locks hanging that are put up by the devotees who visit the dargah in the belief that their wishes to get fulfilled. There is also a special rock inside the shrine that is believed to have healing powers. Not just Muslims, people of other faiths or religion visit this dargah and is an ideal place to be visited with families and elders. This dargah is open all days from morning 5:30 AM to 10:00 PM. The best time to visit this place is from October to March, so you can avoid heavy monsoons and hot summers.
Many priests are seen at the foot of the dargah chanting hymns that add to the beauty of the dargah. This rocky terrain is immensely popular with people who go for trekking. There is no entry fee for the dargah. One can enjoy the sunrise and sunset from the hilltop and the surroundings serve as an excellent backdrop for photographs. This place has a rush of devotees during the festival Muharram. It is well-connected with buses and even trains through Moula Ali Railway station.