Islands are beautiful destinations where time seems to come to a standstill while nature’s splendour tugs at your heartstrings. Majuli Island Assam is one of the most fascinating islands in India that is surrounded by rivers on all sides. It is home to beautiful landscapes, splendid fields, and several birds that make your mornings more cheerful with their melodious chirping. The locals here are very friendly and always welcome tourists with open arms.
Majuli Island was once 1500 square kilometres. The Brahmaputra River flows on the southern side while the Kherkutia Xuti and River Subansiri are on the northern side. The mighty Brahmaputra was not very kind to this beautiful destination. Frequent erosions and flooding have reduced the size of the place to 352 square kilometres. Only 2 lakh people reside on this island now. Well, you’ll hear many say that it won’t be long before the turbulent waters consume the island completely.
Buckle up and pack your bags to explore this gorgeous river island before nature claims it back! Here’s everything you need to know about the island, its history, reasons to explore the place, things to do, and how to reach Majuli island without any trouble.
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The History of Majuli River Island
Nobody really knows when Majuli Island formed on the banks of the Brahmaputra River. There are no human records or evidence to back the history of the formation of the island, especially the stories you will hear from the locals there. However, there are geographical findings that say that the river island may have formed sometime around the 13th Century. Human civilisation and cultural activities began after the visit of social reformer, Srimanta Sankardeva in the 16th century.
Sankardeva introduced neo-Vaishnavism to the island, a Hindu spiritual movement that has gained traction over time. Sankardeva, along with his disciple Madhavdeva, established monasteries or ‘Satras’ in the place and they serve as the epicentres for religious and cultural activities. They are focused on devotion toward Lord Vishnu. Also, these places played a very important role in promoting Assamese culture. The Satras uphold the ancient traditions and nurture the Assamese art forms – including music, drama, art, dance, and literature.
Why is Majuli Island famous?
Majuli Island is one of Asia’s largest river islands despite its reduced area. Adventure lovers will enjoy their journey to this island, seeing how reaching the place in itself is an exhilarating experience. You will have to take a ferry ride to cross the river and reach the land. There are not many people residing on the island so it is the perfect spot for some tranquil time.
There is absolutely no pollution and you will find that the locals grow their own vegetables and fruits in small farms. You can feast on fresh food that is healthy and also delicious. The island will take you closer to nature and introduce you to the concept of simple living.
Majuli Island is the cultural centre of Assam where the local art forms remain alive and thriving in the Satras. It is more like a tradition than a display of talent. The artists are lost in their pristine art and their energy will soon rub off on the audience. You can interact with the locals, and try your hand at embracing their lifestyle which is devoid of stress and worries.
Nature lovers will enjoy the green cover here and bird watching is a major activity that you can indulge in. There are no dedicated bird-watching spots but you will find migratory birds in most of the seasons, usually near the water. The rustic charm of Majuli Island attracts a lot of tourists all year round.
Also, there is a lingering fear that Majuli Island may submerge completely in the future. Despite the government’s efforts to slow the process with riverbank stabilisation, boulder spurs, and cement concrete porcupine screens, you can never predict something for sure when nature is involved. This uncertainty creates a lot of interest around Majuli Island.
Things to do on the river island
1 – Visit The Satras
Satras are the places where the people of Majuli island preserve the age-old traditions, culture, and a lot of devotion. When you visit a Satra, you will see that the locals are more than happy to invite you in and introduce you to the different bhajans and hymns of Lord Vishnu. They will go out of their way to tell you about their beliefs and lifestyle. It is a magical experience to converse with them and attend the morning and evening prayers in these extraordinary religious hubs.
You can see people perform dances and dramas that tell you the tales of Lord Vishnu. Some Satras have ancient manuscripts and relics along with sculptures and paintings. The architecture of these Satras is so simple and soothing to the eye.
While in Majuli island, visit the Kamalabari Satra, Dakhinpat Satra, Auniati Satra, and Garmur Satra. Then go ahead to visit the golden temple structure at Tengapania – a breathtaking architectural marvel that will stun you in awe.
2 – Ferry Rides
Ferry rides operate between Nimati Ghat, Jorhat to Majuli Island from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The small but captivating ferries are tourist favourites as they offer gorgeous views during the 1.5-hour journey one way. It is a remarkable experience to see the rippling waters while you gaze at the far-off lands, birds circling the skies, and cooing from a distance. There is a lot of demand for ferry rides so you might want to book your tickets in advance and reserve your trip.
To arrive or leave the island, you must rely on the ferry rides. Tourists also reserve a day for a turnaround trip in the ferries – Majuli to Jorhat and back to Majuli again.
Also Read: MEET THE WATERS: 12 FERRY RIDES IN INDIA FOR AN EXQUISITE EXPERIENCE
3 – Fishing at Sunset
The sunrise and sunset on Majuli Island are enthralling. The sun paints the sky in hues of orange and pink, a sight that is calming to the heart. You can go on a walk in the mornings, breathe in the fresh air and see how the sun greets right after dawn. In the evenings, sit by the river and enjoy seeing the colours that the sky splashes on the flowing water of the river. After the sun sets, you can accompany the local fishermen to catch fish from the river! This is one of the offbeat things to do in the place. If you approach the local men, they are more than happy to let you try your hand at fishing, offering their expert guidance while you are at it.
4 – Food and Rice Beer
The local food of Majuli island is good for the body, very delicious and is made with little effort. You will find a lot of home restaurants offering meals to tourists. Try Porag aapin, rice cooked in wrapped leaf, and Pamnam fish. You will also find several seafood options to devour. Chicken lovers should try the chicken roast that is made by wrapping the chicken pieces in a leaf and burning it over flames. The vegetable dishes made here do not have much of the hard spices but still manage to maintain the lip-smackingly good taste.
You will find two types of rice beers on Majuli Island. Nongzin Pong is a traditional beer made after fermenting rice. Poro apong is made from fermented rice with an added flavour of burnt paddy husk and stalks. These are the most consumed drinks here and are retailed at a very cheap price in the markets. You can always carry a 1-litre bottle back home.
5 – Cultural Tour Across the Island
Sattriya Dance originated in the Satras of Majuli island. It is a major art form in the Ekasarana Dharma or neo-Vaishnavism introduced by Sankardeva in the 15th and 16th centuries. The performance is a one-act play that tells you the stories of Lord Vishnu and his various forms. In the year 2000, Sattriya Dance was also accepted as one of the 8 main classical dance forms in India.
On Majuli Island, the best place to see authentic Sattriya dance would be in the Satras. The dancers wear traditional attire, apply makeup, and put up a splendid show for the audience to enjoy.
6 – Bird Watching
Bird watching is one of the main activities to indulge in Majuli Island. You will see several migratory and water birds reside in the region. There is something special about the resident avians here. Usually, when you approach a bird, it flies away in fright and tries to maintain distance from humans. The birds of Majuli island meet your eye and the evident curiosity in their button eyes is very amusing. Nature photographers can get the perfect clicks of these winged delights while they are on Majuli Island.
Interesting Facts about Majuli Island Assam
These are some of the interesting facts about Majuli Island that will further motivate you to visit the most sought-after river island in the country.
- Majuli Island is currently the largest river island in the world.
- It is a biodiversity hotspot that hosts several endangered bird species, flora and fauna.
- The Island undergoes constant reshaping because of the tumultuous flow of the Brahmaputra river and flooding is very common during the monsoon months.
- The economy of the island mainly depends on agriculture, fishing, textile handloom industry, and tourism.
- The Majuli Raas festival is one of the main celebrations in the region and happens in the month of November.
- Majuli Island is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- There are no major educational institutions on the island. There are a few colleges and schools that provide basic education.
- The ‘Missing’ tribe are the major inhabitants of the island. Deori and Sonowal Kachari tribes also stay here.
Best time to visit Majuli Island
Majuli Island has soothing weather all year round. Tourists can come here whenever they can find time and the people are more than happy to host them. However, we do not recommend visiting the island during the monsoon months. You will notice that the guest accommodations and hotels here are constructed at an elevation to avoid the impact of floods during the rainy months.
People do come here when the region is being drenched by showers but the experience is not for the faint-hearted. The ideal time to visit Majuli Island would be from November to March. Winters are serenely cold and less humid – the perfect climate to explore the green cover and go sightseeing.
How to reach Majuli Island?
By Air
Tourists coming from other Indian cities other than Guwahati will have to book their flights to Guwahati first. Then they will easily find flights to Rowriah Airport, Jorhat. From Jorhat, you can hire a cab or use the local transport to reach the ferry point that has boats travelling to Majuli Island.
By Rail
Jorhat Railway Station is the closest point to Majuli Island. If your region doesn’t have direct trains to Jorhat, you can stop at Guwahati and take a train to Jorhat from there.
If you are travelling from a very long distance, rest in Guwahati and embark on your journey the next day. While doing so, book your stay at Hotels in Guwahati for a refreshing experience.
By Road
People planning on a road trip must reach Jorhat first to eventually reach Majuli Island. From your respective cities, connect to NH37 to reach Jorhat. The ferry rides have extra space for your cars and bikes so it is possible to take the automobiles to Majuli Island.
Everything about Majuli is interesting, isn’t it? Let us know when you are planning your trip to Majuli Island in the comments section below!
