The Cherry Blossom Festival of Shillong is one of the biggest festival of North East India. The festival is organised every year in the month of November, for 3 or 4 days. Though the festival is celebrated in Shillong, the capital city of Meghalaya, the venue of the festival changes every year. Being a multi-event, multi-venue program, the main hotspots of the festivals are Polo Ground, Golf Course, Ward’s Lake, State Convention Center, JN Stadium, RBDSA Sports Complex etc. This year in 2024, the festival is going to be held at RBDSA Sports Complex, Bhoirymbong, Shillong.
Over the years, this event has not only emerged as a symbol of the beauty of Nature but also as a celebration of culture, art and eco-tourism.
History of Cherry Blossom Festival of Shillong
The story of Cherry Blossom festival started in the year 2016. The cherry blossom festival of Japan caught the attention of State Government of Meghalaya. Meghalaya has been known for its great tourist destination like shillong, cherrapunji etc. In order to promote its tourism sector in Meghalaya, the government decided to organise a festival under the plan “Destination Meghalaya”. The tourism department decided to hold the festival on the lines of Japanese Cherry Blossom festival. The inaugural Cherry Blossom Festival of India, which took place between November 14th and 17th in 2016 in Shillong, marked a significant milestone as it became the world’s first international cherry blossom festival celebrated in the autumn season. This event effectively positioned Meghalaya on the global tourism landscape. Since then, the cherry blossom festival of shillong is being organised every year barring the covid-19 affected years.
Shillong’s Unique Cherry Blossom Trees
The cherry trees are native to temperate-latitude of the world. In northern hemisphere, cherry trees blossom during spring(April-May). What is unique to the cherry trees of Shillong is that they blossom during autumn season(November-December). It is because Shillong is situated on tropical latitude. However, Shillong has a climate like temperate latitude. That makes the cherry trees of shillong unique. This late blossoming of cherry trres is celebrated through the festival. Many people across the globe visit the festival to witness the blossoming of cherry trees in autumn season.
Main Events of Cherry Blossom Festival of Shillong
The festival’s attractions encompass a diverse array of entertainment, such as rock concerts, unplugged Western music performances, dances representing various North Eastern cultures, beauty pageants, fashion shows, guided nighttime strolls amidst the enchanting glow of cherry blossoms, drawing and storytelling competitions for children, and stalls featuring regional cuisine, wines, and crafts.Ward’s Lake in shillong is main center of the festival. The ward’s lake decorated in a pink theme matching the color of the cherry flower during this festival. Music concerts are generally held at Polo ground, Shillong. National and international bands are invited to perform in this festival. Each day you will find different bands and artists at the venue.
Visitors can stroll through the cherry blossom-lined avenues while enjoying live music from local bands, indulge in traditional food or participate in art exhibitions and photography contests. It turns out to be a multifaceted celebration of both Nature and human creativity with every passing year.
Things to do during Cherry Blossom Festival of Shillong
- Attend music festivals each day and live music gigs.
- Boat ride in Ward’s Lake is a common activity.
- Join Literature festivals
- beauty pageant contest
- Illuminated cherry blossoms during evening
- Fine dining at Ward’s Lake
- Enjoy Khasi ethnic food
Planning Your Visit
Dates for the Cherry Blossom festival are announced one or two months prior to the festival. This year in 2024, the festival is going to be held from November 15 to November 16. You must check the official website of the festival for planning your trip.
How to reach Cherry Blossom Festival of Shillong?
The nearest airport to Shillong is LGBI Airport which is 120 km from shillong. Once you reach LGBI airport, you can hire a taxi from the airport. Generally, if you book a cab to shillong, it will cost you around 6000 rupees. If you are one a budget, you can also book a shared taxi which will cost you around 2000. Genrally, cabs from LGBI aiport charge more. For a cheap price, you can go to Paltan Bazar near Guwahati railway station. Cab rate from Guwahati to Shillong is much cheaper from Paltan Bazar area.
The nearest railway station to Shillong is Guwahati railway station which is 80 km from shillong. Private and public transport are available from Guwahati railway station to Shillong throughout the day.
Best Time to Visit Shillong for Cherry Blossom
The best time to witness cherry blossoms in shillong is the month of november. Even if you miss the Cherry Blossom festival, streets of Shillong are covered with pink cherry flowers throughout the month of November.
Weather Patterns During the Festival
Shillong is known for its moderate climate. Shillong’s climate is influenced by its location in the northeastern part of India, its elevation (approximately 1,496 meters or 4,908 feet above sea level), and its proximity to the Bay of Bengal, which brings in the monsoon rains. The city’s lush greenery and pleasant weather make it a popular tourist destination, known as the “Scotland of the East.” Autumn is characterized by clear skies, cooler temperatures, and a gradual decrease in rainfall. Daytime temperatures range from 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F), making it an excellent time to visit.
