Shillong, Oct 16: Next month, tourists from within the country and abroad are likely to visit Shillong to view the full blooming of pink and white cherry blossoms and participate in the second edition of India International Cherry Blossom Festival.
The second India International Cherry Blossom Festival, the world’s only autumn cherry blossom festival, will be organised by the Meghalaya government in collaboration with Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD) in Shillong from November 8 to 11.

Addressing reporters at the Press Club of India, New Delhi, on Monday, chief minister Mukul Sangma said those who want to visit the cherry blossom festival need not fly to Japan or the US anymore as they can enjoy the same in the country in November.

The chief minister and IBSD director, Dinabandhu Sahoo also invited people from across the country and the international community to visit Shillong and be part of the festival.

Cherry blossoms, popularly known as sakura in Japan, entice people who usually spend thousands of dollars and visit different parts of Japan or the US in March every year.

Shillong is in full bloom every November with pink and white cherry blossoms all along the roadside and Ward’s Lake, one of the tourist spots in the city.

India’s first cherry blossom festival was also held in the city from November 14 to 17 last year.

Prior to organising the first edition, the Avenue Cherry Tree Plantation was launched by the Meghalaya chief minister at Ward’s Lake on May 14, 2015.