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.
A Magical Winter Day at the Beautiful Aga Khan Garden
Talar Building viewed from the snowy terrace of the Diwan Building, Aga Khan Garden, January 28, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
As I commence my 3rd year in Alberta, my dream of visiting the Aga Khan Garden in winter has finally been met. My cycle of visits to the Garden in each of the four seasons of the year is now complete after the latest visit. I have posts of my photographs taken during earlier visits in the spring and summer of 2022 (with my daughter, Nurin), and autumn of 2023.
With the mild winter we have been having, I didn’t think my visit would take place. I was only interested in the visit if there was snow on the ground. Thankfully, winter finally arrived in Alberta with a very cold spell in January. But that lasted only a few days. Edmonton, which sees more snow than Calgary, is in second place this year. Some snow fell recently and my call to Thomas at the University of Alberta Botanic Garden encouraged me to drive to the Garden on Sunday, January 28, 2024. He said there was around 8cm of snow on the ground.
Snow-covered waterfalls at the Talar Building, Aga Khan Garden, January 28, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
What a beautiful day, with sunny skies and a temperature of +4C. The welcome by the staff on duty — Mallory, Diane, and later Leo — was very warm and I was invited to have a cup of hot apple cider or hot chocolate before I began my picture taking. But I waited for the drinks until my departure. I had wonderful conversations with the team before I left the Garden and I sincerely thank them for their warmth. I also thank Thomas for his feedback and encouragement; I wouldn’t have otherwise made the 300 km trip.
The beautiful Aga Khan Garden is part of the University of Alberta Botanic Garden. It was inaugurated on October 16, 2018, by the 49th Hereditary Imam of the Ismaili Muslims, His Highness the Aga Khan. His daughter, Princess Zahra Aga Khan, opened the Diwan Building on September 28, 2022.
I also walked through a section of the elegant 5-acre Kurimoto Japanese Garden and visited the Botanic Garden’s incredible greenhouse rooms. What an informative and interesting day.
During the final moments of the visit, my eyes were drawn to an artistic panel near the visitor building. Not being a parent of a little child for years, I didn’t realize that it was a play structure for children to throw bean bags at!
Here is a collection of my photographs for you to enjoy.
The eye catching Red (Adirondack) chairs by the main pathway entrance to the Aga Khan Garden, January 28, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Snow-covered Reflecting Pool along the main path leading to Talar Building, Aga Khan Garden, January 28, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Amphitheatre, Aga Khan Garden, January 28, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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One of two structures of the iconic Talar Building, Aga Khan Garden, January 28, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Visitors enjoy a walk through the Aga Khan Garden in front of the Diwan Building, January 28, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Sunlight brings out vibrant orange colours in this plant on a beautiful winter day at the Aga Khan Garden, January 28, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Snow-covered Bustan Calla pond, Aga Khan Garden, January 28, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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A set of benches on the grounds of the Aga Khan Garden overlooking the Bustan Calla pond, January 28, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Shrubs, Aga Khan Garden, January 28, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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One of many lovely and imposing trees, Aga Khan Garden, January 28, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Talar Building, Aga Khan Garden, January 28, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Pristine snow no more, as the author/photographer of this piece, makes a path in his winter boots, Aga Khan Garden, January 28, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Alternative entrance to the Aga Khan Garden located by the artistic Jilau Khana fence, Aga Khan Garden, January 28, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Fountain, Aga Khan Garden, January 28, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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The artistic Jilau Khana fences at left, Aga Khan Garden, January 28, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg
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Bustan Calla pond and surrounding area viewed from the terrace of the Diwan Building, Aga Khan Garden, January 28, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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A distant view of the iconic Talar Building from an area surrounding the Bustan Calla Pond, Aga Khan Garden, January 28, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Another view of the Diwan Building, Aga Khan Garden, January 28, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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A view of the Talar Building from the Amphitheatre, Aga Khan Garden, January 28, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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A view of the Kurimoto Japanese Garden, January 28, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Tropical Plant and Butterfly House, University of Alberta Botanic Garden, January 28, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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A flower that only recently bloomed in the Arid House of the University of Alberta Botanic Garden, January 28, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Cacti in the Arid House, University of Alberta Botanic Garden, January 28, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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A vibrant artistic panel with holes for young children to throw their bean bags at, University of Alberta Botanic Garden, January 28, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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An outdoor wood burning stove surrounded by beautiful red (Adirondack) chairs, a feature of many parks and gardens across Canada, University of Alberta Botanic Garden, January 28, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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An icing on the cake for Malik Merchant as he is offered hot chocolate and apple cider in the visitors centre of the University of Alberta Botanic Garden, January 28, 2024. Photograph: Leo for Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
Date posted: January 29, 2024.
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The following comment has been verified as authentic; the visitor’s name is being withheld — Ed. Malik Merchant:
We had a very unpleasant experience pertaining to our visit to the Aga Khan Garden in September/October 2023.
There was a group of us from the U. S. and the U.K; who were looking forward to listening to a guide who was supposed to take us around.
We waited, waited, waited…….No-one showed up. We were finally told that the guide was not aware of his duty for that day and that he was away.
The guided tours was advertised on the website.
The excuse rendered to us was that “these are all volunteers.” Are we not all? I volunteer everyday of my life at a Toronto Jamatkhana and if I am away, I ensure that my absence is covered. What we were offered was an impecunious, feeble excuse. For an Ismaili volunteer, this is shameful……
Hopefully, the situation won’t be repeated in the future.
Amazing pictures…………just out of this world. Gives respite from polluted, busy unfriendly metropolis. Well planned
and caters to all ages. Thanks for sharing
Another very exciting post with pictures of the Aga Khan Garden in Edmonton capturing the beautiful scenes of the winter season. Malik, your own picture enjoying a cup of coffee is also great and it is indeed a pleasure to see you in robust health! Our prayers for your good health. Ameen.
I had the opportunity to visit this marvelous garden about one month prior to its formal opening by His Highness the Aga Khan. It was also a cold day when I went there but it was worth its while and I spent over an hour moving around with my winter jacket on.
Inshallah, we will visit the garden again during our next trip to Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver, which we are planning for late spring or summer this year.
Finally, I must mention without any hesitation whatsoever that the Aga Khan Garden Edmonton is one of the must see places in Canada and I hope and pray that those who have not had the chance to visit so far are able to do so.
Best wishes and prayers for good health and opportunity to provide such interesting posts in the future. Ameen.
Kamrudin A. Rashid
Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Januarry 31, 2024.
Dear Malik
Saw the picture showing the “walk in the snow “
Beautiful pictures and great collection
Agree to enjoy the hot chocolate after the task is done
Best wishes
Dr Moh’d F Manji
This is just lovely Malik. I visited the Aga Khan Garden in 2019, and was equally amazed!!!!!! But in the quiet tranquil winter, it looks even more stunning.
The following comment has been verified as authentic; the visitor’s name is being withheld — Ed. Malik Merchant:
We had a very unpleasant experience pertaining to our visit to the Aga Khan Garden in September/October 2023.
There was a group of us from the U. S. and the U.K; who were looking forward to listening to a guide who was supposed to take us around.
We waited, waited, waited…….No-one showed up. We were finally told that the guide was not aware of his duty for that day and that he was away.
The guided tours was advertised on the website.
The excuse rendered to us was that “these are all volunteers.” Are we not all? I volunteer everyday of my life at a Toronto Jamatkhana and if I am away, I ensure that my absence is covered. What we were offered was an impecunious, feeble excuse. For an Ismaili volunteer, this is shameful……
Hopefully, the situation won’t be repeated in the future.
Amazing pictures…………just out of this world. Gives respite from polluted, busy unfriendly metropolis. Well planned
and caters to all ages. Thanks for sharing
Another very exciting post with pictures of the Aga Khan Garden in Edmonton capturing the beautiful scenes of the winter season. Malik, your own picture enjoying a cup of coffee is also great and it is indeed a pleasure to see you in robust health! Our prayers for your good health. Ameen.
I had the opportunity to visit this marvelous garden about one month prior to its formal opening by His Highness the Aga Khan. It was also a cold day when I went there but it was worth its while and I spent over an hour moving around with my winter jacket on.
Inshallah, we will visit the garden again during our next trip to Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver, which we are planning for late spring or summer this year.
Finally, I must mention without any hesitation whatsoever that the Aga Khan Garden Edmonton is one of the must see places in Canada and I hope and pray that those who have not had the chance to visit so far are able to do so.
Best wishes and prayers for good health and opportunity to provide such interesting posts in the future. Ameen.
Kamrudin A. Rashid
Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Januarry 31, 2024.
Dear Malik
Saw the picture showing the “walk in the snow “
Beautiful pictures and great collection
Agree to enjoy the hot chocolate after the task is done
Best wishes
Dr Moh’d F Manji
This is just lovely Malik. I visited the Aga Khan Garden in 2019, and was equally amazed!!!!!! But in the quiet tranquil winter, it looks even more stunning.
Beautiful pictures Malik, especially the orchid like flower and the red Adirondack chairs.
Lovely photos Malik. Lots of work on your part. Thank you.
Parviz Dhanani