Cherry blossoms in India might not be as popular as in Japan, but trust us that India’s cherry blossoms are no less than a dream! The cherry blossom season in India begins by November and ends by December or early January.
Even though the country has a mostly tropical climate, you can experience cherry blossoms here in some parts of North East India and North India. Here are the places that you can visit in India to get the best cherry blossom experience!
Cherry Blossom In India: Places To Enjoy It!
Shillong
Meghalaya’s capital city is a scenic tourist destination in India, but it becomes even more beautiful when it’s time for cherry blossoms.
Shillong hosts its annual Cherry Blossom Festival in India in mid-November, however, the exact dates may vary depending on the blooming season.
The festival has plenty of musical and live performances, food stalls, and retail, so there are a lot of unique experiences for you to try in Shillong.
There are plenty of lakes and parks in Shillong where you can view some of the prettiest cherry blossom in India. You have Ward’s Lake, Lady Hydari Park, Umiam Lake, and Upper Shillong Forest.
Amongst them, Ward’s Lake is a popular tourist attraction with a wooden bridge and a lake. The beautifully manicured parks, plus the pale pink cherry blossom trees make it look almost like a mini Japan!
Peak blooming season: November to December
Himachal Pradesh
Next on our list is the snow-capped state of Himachal Pradesh. While it is quite unusual to assume that the snow-laden state can also have cherry blossoms, it is actually true.
These blossoms bloom in the months of March and April and you can find them lined up on the streets and hills and in parks.
To fully immerse yourself in the cherry blossom season in India’s Himachal Pradesh, we recommend visiting Dharamshala.
Along with that, you also have the remote districts of Kumarsain, Mashobra, Bhutti, and Narkanda where you’ll be spellbound by these delicate pink flowers!
Time to keep your Manali plan on hold and visit these lesser-known places to view cherry blossom in India.
Peak blooming season: March to April
Darjeeling
While Darjeeling is famous for its chai, you’d be surprised to know that the hill station dons a blanket of pink in the months of November and December. There are plenty of unexplored pink trails in Darjeeling that you can explore while you’re here.
The area of Lamahatta, Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, as well as Batasia Eco Garden are some of the best places to visit in Darjeeling to get a good cherry blossom experience.
And when you’re not doing that, you can explore all the other things Darjeeling is famous for. The hill station has plenty of attractions like the Peace Pagoda, Tiger Hill, Chowrasta, Darjeeling Rock Garden, and the lots of tea estates dotting the mountains.
Peak blooming season: November to December
Jammu And Kashmir
Are you surprised to know that Jammu and Kashmir too have their own cherry blossoms? Well, you aren’t alone! The snow-laden landscapes of this beautiful state also dons itself in pink and white cherry blossom flowers.
Areas of Srinagar, Baramulla, Shopian experience pretty pink and white cherry blossoms in the months of April and May. This is when they are in full bloom.
There are also plenty of gardens like the Mughal Gardens, Badamwari Gardens, and different cherry orchards that bloom in pink and white.
Peak blooming season: March to April
Kohima
Nagaland is an underrated gem in India, so much so that many of us don’t even know that the state is one of the few places to experience the cherry blossom season in India.
Its capital city, Kohima, is home to some stunning Himalayan cherry blossoms, found especially in the Botanical Garden of Kohima. The Himalayan cherry blossoms are known for their therapeutic properties as well as tea-making.
Khuzama Village perched on the Nagaland-Manipur border, Pfutsero in Phek District, Longkhum Village, and Kisama Heritage Village are some of the best places in Nagaland to view abundant vistas of cherry blossoms.
Peak blooming season: November to December
Mumbai And Bangalore
We get it that Mumbai and Bangalore might come off as a surprise, but trust us that these metropolitan cities are not much behind than their other competitors in the list.
An interesting fact to note is that these cities don’t actually have real cherry blossom trees – instead, they are known for their pink trumpet trees.
These pink trumpet trees start blooming as early as January and bloom in trumpet-shaped flowers. While they mostly bloom in pale pink, you can also find these flowers in white, yellow and dark pink.
In Mumbai, you can find ‘cherry blossoms’ in Vikhroli and Ghatkopar on the stretch of the Western Express Highway as well as some parts of Navi Mumbai.
In Bangalore, you can find them inside the Cubbon Park, Lalbagh Botanical Garden, and the many streets of the metropolitan city!
Peak blooming season: January
Summing Up
Cherry blossom time in India is different in different places. Some places witness the mesmerizing bloom from as early as November, while some experience it in March or April.
Regardless of their blooming season, it is guaranteed that you’ll be having a splendid time experiencing cherry blossom in India.
Now that is an experience for which you wouldn’t have to spend exorbitant money on flights and travel to Japan!
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q1. In Which Month Is Cherry Blossom In Kashmir?
Cherry blossom in Kashmir usually blooms in March and April, after winter has receded. However, this also depends on the weather conditions.
Q2. Are Cherry Blossoms White Or Pink?
Cherry blossoms bloom in both white and pink. Apart from that, you can also find them in hues of yellow, dark pink, and even green!
Q3. Do Cherry Blossoms Grow In India?
Yes, cherry blossoms grow in India, especially in North and North East India. Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Darjeeling, Nagaland, and Shillong are some of the best places in India to experience cherry blossoms.
