Shillong’s famous Cherry Blossom Festival 2021 was held from November 25 to 27, 2021 in Meghalaya.

The three-day festival was inaugurated by Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Conrad K Sangma, and Ambassador of Japan to India, Satoshi Suzuki.

Key Points
The event was held in two venues, Ward’s Lake and Polo Grounds in Meghalaya.

• Festival coincides with the actual blooming of cherry blossom flowers.

Every year Shillong’s Cherry Blossom Festival is hosted by Meghalaya in the starting of November.

Cherry blossom
Cherry Blossom is a flower of many trees of genus Prunus or Prunus Cerasus. These flowers are also known as Japanese cherry and Sakura. They usually refer to ornamental cherry trees. However, it should not to be confused with cherry trees producing fruit for eating. It is the national flower of Japan. South Korea and Paris are also famous for their cherry blossom season. These flowers are also found in Himalayas as well as cover the east & west Khasi hills.

International Cherry Blossom Festival
The International Cherry Blossom Festival is hosted in Shillong, Meghalaya annually in mid-November. The festival includes live music and other activities like pageants, dance competitions, several stalls representing their region through the cuisine, arts & craft and wine.

Cherry Blossom in India
Cherry blossom is also an attraction in India, most notably in Himalayan states of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Jammu & Kashmir, Sikkim, Jalpaiguri & Darjeeling in west Bengal and Tropical highlands of Garo Hills & Khasi Hills. In Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, the flower is considered sacred among Hindus and is associated with Vishnu & Shiva. During Maha Shivaratri, its leaves are used to make a wreath and are hung at the prayer altar.