If you think you need to go to Japan to see cherry blossoms, think again. There are many Indian states which have cherry blossom trees in abundance such as the Himalayan states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, as well as Nagaland, Manipur and Meghalaya. The best time to visit is from November to March.
Here are our unmissable top five destinations for you to catch these beautiful flowers in action.
In the northeast of India's Khasi Hills, cherry blossoms start flowering as soon as the spring season starts. Shillong even has a dedicated cherry blossom festival where viewers can enjoy Meghalaya's local flavours and traditional arts while sitting under magical pink blooms.
Beautiful cherry blossoms can also be found in Sikkim in November, especially in Khangchendzonga National Park. Even though the cherry blossoms here are not similar to those found in Japan, they are just as beautiful and enchanting. The best time to visit would be between the second and the third week of November.
Nagaland is home to the wild Himalayan cherry blossoms that shine brightly from the months of January to April and between September to November. The locals consider it a gift from the Himalayas and can be found in abundance in Kohima Botanical Garden. You can also experience its beauty across many smaller towns and villages in the state, such as Khuzama village.
Bengaluru is home to tabibuea rosea flowers which are pink but not actually cherry blossoms. Nevertheless, they are magical to see in person when they bloom from January. The delicate pink flowers transform the entire aura of the town, and you can't help but be allured by them. The city of gardens offers many options to find them, such as in Cubbon Park and Benniganahalli Lake.
Himachal Pradesh welcomes the wonders of cherry blossoms in March. The best place to see it is in Mashobra village, which is 10km away from Shimla. Apart from that, you can also check out the state's vast apple, pear, plum and apricot orchards.
