New Delhi, Sept 13: Meghalaya’s Cherry Blossom Festival has brought pride to the state by winning the prestigious Golden Banyan Award in the Best Cultural Music and Dance category at The Week Heritage Awards 2025. The Hornbill Festival of Nagaland won the Silver Banyan Award in the same category.
The award was received by Meghalaya’s Director of Tourism, Smti Brenda L. Pakyntein, from Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat at a grand ceremony held at The Oberoi, New Delhi. The event celebrated India’s living heritage through 19 awards covering festivals, crafts, tourism, and cultural traditions.
Union Minister Shekhawat, in his keynote, described heritage preservation as a “mass movement,” urging that cultural traditions and practices be safeguarded for future generations. The evening featured soulful performances, including sitar and tabla jugalbandi, classical dance, and dastaangoi storytelling, highlighting the vibrancy of India’s heritage.
The recognition of Meghalaya’s Cherry Blossom Festival is a significant milestone, affirming the state’s role as a cultural hub in the Northeast and a growing attraction for heritage and music tourism.
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