The Himalayan cherry blossom, or Prunus cerasoides, called padmakashtha in Hindi, is a flower we have long associated with Japan. And so, the second instalment of India’s International Cherry Blossom Festival in Meghalaya reminds us of its important Indian heritage and how it has enlivened the vast Himalayan landscapes with its stunning pink and white blooms, a stark contrast to a verdant Shillong.
Possessing connotations of the fragility of life and beauty, the cultural weight the tiny flowers hold is profoundly significant. Japanese haiku poets Kobayashi Issa and Matsuo Basho have enchanted people with the imagery of illuminated spring nights and blossom-scattering winds.
- Airports closest to Meghalaya include Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (Guwahati Airport) and Shillong Airport.
- There are regular MTC buses to and from Shillong and National Highway 40, an all-weather road, for those wanting to watch the world pass by.
The celebration, organised by the Government of Meghalaya, in association with Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD), continues to promote the socio-economic flourishing of Northeastern India — a largely successful move considering 2016’s festival drew in 30,000 domestic tourists, while this year’s spectacle is likely to attract 50,000 tourists from various walks of life, all drawn in by the cherry blossom trees’ mystical fascination.
Given that currently 5,000 trees are planted between Umiam, the famous Ward’s Lake, New Shillong and Mawphlang, the target to plant 20,000 trees to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the festival is more than likely to be met. Meghalaya’s location at 5,000 feet above sea level also provides a wonderful thriving ground for this species of cherry blossom.
Focus on eco-tourism
According to the State’s Secretary of Forest and Environment, Aldous Mawlong, IAS, the festival will be a celebration of environmental well-being. He says, “In the North East, people survive off the land, and we want to strengthen the economy through responsible eco-tourism — so through different dance forms and storytelling sessions, people will see what we have to offer. I’ve seen these flowers bloom since my childhood, and they’ve done so profusely every year — so why not have a festival dedicated to that?”
Keeping in mind Northeastern India’s pride in its unique culture, musicians of contemporary and traditional folk genres will enliven the mood. Motorbike rallies will flow through the area with participants from all over the country.
For a more intimate setting, storytelling sessions will share tales of Shillong, giving people something personal to go home with. Various traditional dances, cleverly themed around the environment, such as the Mask dance from Sikkim, Jagoi from Manipur and Nongkrem from Meghalaya, will enchant beholders.
Mawlong adds that if one is in the area this week, they can witness the blooming of these little flamingo-hued wonders which will remain for the entire month. So, if you’re not able to make it for the festival, you’re still invited to see the natural splendour.
Dinabandhu Sahoo, Director, IBSD, hopes for the cherry blossom to be seen as a symbol of peace, prosperity and development, ultimately rebranding the bio-resource while retaining its eminent historical value. “We want to bring more investment into this valuable bio-resource here while upholding positive notions of the North East.”
So why travel all the way to Japan or Washington DC when an equally mesmerising beauty can be enjoyed in our own backyard?
