A website dedicated to photographs and videos from Canada and around the world with an emphasis on nature, wildlife, food, travel and sport as well as art, architecture and culture. In culture, the focus will be on projects related to the work of His Highness the Aga Khan, his Ismaili Muslim community and Islam in general.
Toronto’s White Xmas: Photos of Aga Khan Park, Ismaili Centre and Aga Khan Museum on December 25, 2020…and then on December 28 following rain!
As an Ottawa resident for more than 30 years, it is difficult for me to imagine a white Xmas in Toronto and not one in Ottawa. December 25, 2020 was different though. Ottawa normally gets plenty of snow — much much more than Toronto — and it is also one of the coldest capital cities in the world. Generally a white Xmas, which all North Americans wish for, is designated as such whenever there is at least 2 cms of snow on the ground. I was educated about that interesting fact by a DJ of one of my favourite music stations (Chum) 104.5. She announced in between songs that Torontonians might wake up to a white Xmas! At 6 AM on the morning of Friday December 25, 2020, I was anticipating close to around 3-5 cms but instead saw much much more on the grounds surrounding my apartment building. So this was for me an authentic “white” Xmas, because in my view 2 cms of snow for an Ottawan is somewhat amusing. My immediate thought when I saw so much snow outside was to check out a live picture from a webcam that is broadcast from across Ottawa’s Parliament building. I was expecting to see tons of snow. Instead, I scratched my eyes when I saw that the Parliament Hill grounds would be capable of hosting two cricket matches side by side on either side of the eternal flame! Also, when I spoke to my daughter she said the lawns of her home were green! Ottawa will catch up though, and soon have heaps of snow!
OTTAWA
Ottawa’s Green Xmas 2020. The Parliament Building and its grounds on December 25, 2020, appx. 8:00 AM. Live photo captured by webcam from across the street from Parliament Hill. Photo: http://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca via Hill Cam.
Now, over the past few months I have had the opportunity to capture photos of the Aga Khan Park, the Aga Khan Museum and the Ismaili Centre during different seasons of the year, events as well as on full and new moon nights. This latest overnight snowfall of around 10-12 cms excited me and gave me a special reason to pay a spontaneous pilgrimage to my favourite spot on earth, thanks to the vision and generosity of His Highness the Aga Khan, the builder of .the Aga Khan Park (2015), the Aga Khan Museum (2014) and the Ismaili Centre (2014).
Here then are my photos from a “genuine” white Christmas at the magnificent sites!
A beautiful snow covered tree at Aga Khan Park following a good amount of overnight snowfall affirming Friday December 25, 2020 as white Xmas day. Photo: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
The Ismaili Centre complex, with the Jamatkhana dome at right, following a good amount of overnight snowfall affirming Friday December 25, 2020 as white Xmas day. Photo: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
A view from a snow covered bench of the domes of the Ismaili Jamatkhana (left) and the Aga Khan Museum, following a good amount of overnight snowfall affirming Friday December 25, 2020 as white Xmas day. Photo: Malik Merchant / Simerg.
A Christmas day farewell to the Ismaili Centre, the Aga Khan Museum and the Aga Khan Park. Photo: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
….Now Fast Forward to December 28, 2020
Two days after that snowfall of 10-12 cms on December 25, temperatures soared to 5°C. Add some rain to that and the results are shown through the following two photos which have corresponding snowy day photos above!
The meltdown of the snowman, after rain and temperatures rose to above 0°C on December 27/28! Photo: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
A real meltdown on December 28, 2020! Compare it with photos taken on December 25 which show the grounds of the Aga Khan Park covered with snow. Photo: Malik Merchant / Simergphotos.
Date posted: December 26, 2020. Last updated: December 28, 2020 (2 photos added after rain and warmer temperatures)
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3 thoughts on “Toronto’s White Xmas: Photos of Aga Khan Park, Ismaili Centre and Aga Khan Museum on December 25, 2020…and then on December 28 following rain!”
Rashida Tejani on said:
Beautiful pictures of White Christmas at the Agakhan Park & Ismaili Centre & Museum.
Love your photos of the Fall too.
Ah the diversity of nature
From autumn hues & verdure
To pristine snow anew pure
Untrodden and and foot sure
Thank you for this grandeur
The barren branches endure
The weightlessness of pure
Snow flakes as they so lure
The other flakes to amour
Families and friends and pets
All gather in neighbours net
Warmly clad and so wrapt
To share the beauty you kept
We can visit as our heart leapt
At the splendor moonlit wept
Tears of joy as nature you kept
Thank you so much for taking us into the Museum grounds and the The Aga Khan park through your lenses. I am 75 and perhaps in today’s Covid Conditions never have ventured in there and yet I am able to feel the beauty of Nature, the winter and fall like I was there, and had the exhilarating feelings of the young boy tobogganing and my feelings of pushing my own boys down the hill. Thank you Mr. Merchant for reviving the feeling and taking me for a walk in the park
Beautiful pictures of White Christmas at the Agakhan Park & Ismaili Centre & Museum.
Love your photos of the Fall too.
Ah the diversity of nature
From autumn hues & verdure
To pristine snow anew pure
Untrodden and and foot sure
Thank you for this grandeur
The barren branches endure
The weightlessness of pure
Snow flakes as they so lure
The other flakes to amour
Families and friends and pets
All gather in neighbours net
Warmly clad and so wrapt
To share the beauty you kept
We can visit as our heart leapt
At the splendor moonlit wept
Tears of joy as nature you kept
Salaams to your vision, your passion
Salaams
Thank you so much for taking us into the Museum grounds and the The Aga Khan park through your lenses. I am 75 and perhaps in today’s Covid Conditions never have ventured in there and yet I am able to feel the beauty of Nature, the winter and fall like I was there, and had the exhilarating feelings of the young boy tobogganing and my feelings of pushing my own boys down the hill. Thank you Mr. Merchant for reviving the feeling and taking me for a walk in the park