Cherry Blossom Festival in India: If You Can’t Visit Japan, Then Please Visit Shillong When the autumn breeze sweeps through the rolling hills of Meghalaya—the abode of clouds—a magical transformation takes place. The tranquil town of Shillong—often celebrated as the "Scotland of the East"—sheds its emerald green and bursts into delicate shades of pink and white. If witnessing Japan's legendary Sakura (cherry blossom) season has always been on your bucket list, it is time to look closer to home. Welcome to India’s very own autumn wonderland, where Shillong hosts the breathtaking India International Cherry Blossom Festival. Why Shillong’s Cherry Blossoms Are Special Unlike the spring-blooming cherries of Japan, Meghalaya’s Himalayan wild cherry blossoms (Prunus cerasoides) bloom right at the onset of autumn, usually around November. During this time, the city’s pathways, hillsides, and residential gardens are...