Peaceful, Glorious and Heavenly: The Ismaili Jamatkhana at Night as Autumn Begins to Give Way to the Oncoming Winter

By MALIK MERCHANT
Publisher/Editor  Simergphotos, Barakah and Simerg


What a dramatic change a few days can make! Compared to last week, the autumn foliage is fading fast, and the once vibrant red and orange leaves are losing their colours and falling to the ground in large numbers. I don’t recall publishing night time photos of the foliage, and November 11, 2021 just happened to be one of those days when opportunity knocked on my door.

As I left the the main entrance of Toronto Headquarters Jamatkhana to walk to my car parked by Wynford Drive, I saw that some of the trees in the beautiful small garden in front of the Jamatkhana were lit by spotlights. The leaves looked stunning. Walking further, and looking behind me I noted that the crystalline dome of the Jamatkhana was fully lit. I might note that the moon, a Waxing Gibbous with an illumination of 57.5% was covered with clouds.

And soaring above it all is the great crystalline dome that you have observed, through which light from the prayer hall will provide a glowing beacon, symbolising the spirit of enlightenment that will always be at the heart of the [Ismaili] Centre’s life — Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, September 12, 2014.

The camera in my car summoned me to take pictures without delay. I was able to take just 3 photos before the Jamatkhana lights went out at around 8:30 PM — the trees however remained lit. I then walked to the Aga Khan Museum. The building as well as the Aga Khan Park grounds in front of the main entrance looked stunning with lit-up trees, and the fading autumn leaves added glory to the scene. Please enjoy these photos from a very brief session of picture taking at my favourite spot in Toronto.

PHOTO OF THE DAY: A clear view of the crystalline dome of the Toronto Headquarters Ismaili Jamatkhana, with lit up autumn foliage at right; November 11, 2021. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simergphotos.
A view of the Aga Khan Museum’s front entrance through lit up trees at Aga Khan Park still showing fall colours. At left of the building is the Big Heech steel sculpture, Toronto; November 11, 2021. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simergphotos.
Autumn colours 2021 Aga Khan Museum through lit up Aga Khan Park trees Simerg Photos Malik Merchant
Close-up of the Aga Khan Museum through lit up trees at Aga Khan Park on the night of November 11, 2021. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simergphotos.
Autumn 2021, Ismaili Headquarters Jamatkhana at Ismaili Centre Night View Simergphotos Malik Merchant
The dome of the Ismaili Headquarters Jamatkhana, part of the Ismaili Centre Toronto, through lit up autumn trees on the night of November 11, 2021. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simergphotos.

Date posted: November 12, 2021.

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Category : Aga Khan Museum, Aga Khan Park, Nature and Space, Sacred Spaces
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