Shillong turns pink once again as cherry blossom fills the city

Shillong: The cherry blossom, also known as Prunus cerasoides, is a gift from the Himalayas and cover the whole of east and west Khasi hills. These gorgeous and vibrant flowers grow in the wild but can be spotted across the state during this time of the year.

Had it not been for COVID-19 pandemic, many Indian travellers would have booked tickets to witness Shillong in hues of white and pink strewn across every street corner.

Ironically, as nature restricts the movement of human beings, it allows flora and fauna to flourish.

The cherry blossoms have bloomed in the city and while the annual India International Cherry Blossom Festival held in Shillong stands cancelled this year, it had not stopped the flowers from blossoming and turning the city into a paradise.

It is expected that the flowers will continue to bloom till the end of November.

Japan is renowned for its cherry blossom festival too. However, the flowers bloom in Japan during the spring season while in Shillong, it arrives a tad bit early in November.

Similarly, Paris has its cherry blossom days when the whole city turns all the more romantic and beautiful.

The state is currently allowing travellers with a negative rapid antigen test or a COVID-19 negative RT-PCR/ CBNAAT/ TruNAT report, no more than 72hr old, from a recognised laboratory.

Only patients with symptoms will be required to undergo mandatory paid quarantine and travellers must have the ArogyaSetu App.

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