Every year, thousands flock to Japan or the US in pursuit of gorgeous cherry blossoms as the cherry trees, or sakura as they known in the Asian country, bloom charmingly. Such the craze of seeing the pink and white flowers that the cherry blossom season in Japan arguably The most sought-after times to visit the country. Well, Indians no longer have to look outward to enjoy those beautiful flowers as Shillong, Meghalaya, is prepping up to host its own Cherry Blossom festival in November.

Cherry Blossom Festival

The India International Cherry Blossom touted as the world’s only Autumn Cherry Blossom Festival and organised during November 8-11, by the government of Meghalaya, in association with the Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD) and Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). At a press conference held at the Capital, the Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul M Sangma and Dinabandhu Sahoo, Director of IBSD, invited people from across the country and the world to visit the north-eastern city during the festival.

Spread across four venues – Polo Second Ground, JN Stadium, Ward’s Lake and Tara Ghar – the festival falls in line with the International Year of Sustainable Tourism this year, and will feature events such as guided night walks, live music gigs, a fashion show and a variety of stalls showcasing region’s cuisine, wine, arts and craft. All of this will situated around Shillong’s beautiful and picturesque Ward Lake, where the cherry blossoms bloom each year.

This festival expected tobe yet another draw for tourists to the northeastern region of India, which known for it natural beauty, especially Shillong, which boasts of a number of gorgeous waterfalls.