Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, turns pink with the blooming of cherry flowers and looks like a live painting every year. Cherry blossom transforms the whole state into a beautiful pink landscape.
Looking into the history that faded over time, on 10 December 1975, a letter from Conservator of Forests BN Das to the first Cheif Secretary of Meghalaya, NK Rustomjee, started a drive to plant different cherry blossoms in and around the state of Meghalaya, that blooms only in February and once in November. The cherry blossom was the only choice for the plantation because it would grow fast in the climatic conditions of Shillong.
In November 2016, Dr. Sahoo, a professor at the Department of Botany at Delhi University, introduced the festival of the Himalayan Cherry Blossoms. Every year, this event is organized by the Government of Meghalaya. The event is celebrated hugely. It includes live music shows, pageants, dance competitions, and stalls and counters from different parts of the state, representing art, craft, cuisine and wine.
The cherry blossom festival is one of the most “happening” events in the Northeast. Meghalaya’s Chief Minister Conrad Sangma announced that the celebration would start on November 17 and continue till November 26 in the Meghalaya Autumn Calendar 2022. The beauty of the cherry blossoms of Shillong is believed to be second to Japan.
Tickets will be sold online for all the planned events and are available from August 24.
Even schedule, Contest applications, Details with regards to Dates and Stall applications can be found at www.shillongcherryblossom.com.