MAJULI THE LARGEST RIVER ISLAND OF WORLD

MAJULI is a sweet name and sweet place to visit. Do you know every day so many foreign tourist use to visit Majuli. Majuli is a river island in Brahamputra river falls in Assam a north eastern Indian state. In 2016 Guinness World Record has declared Majuli as the largest river island in the world. Majuli is now a district of Assam state. It is also constituency of chief minister Mr. Srabanand Sonowal.

Cultural capital of the Assam

Majuli has been the cultural capital of the Assamese civilization since the 16th century. Majuli is formed by Brahmaputra in the south and the Kherkutia Xuti joined by the river Subansiri in the north. Making you feel at peace with nature, Located 1100 km away from the mouth of the Brahmaputra, Majuli had an area of 1256 sq km in 1991 but due to soil erosion, it has now reduced to 875 sq km.

SATRAS OF MAJULI

Majuli is a good learning center for neo-Vaishnavite philosophy. There are 22 Vaishnava Satras in Majuli, the first of which was established in the 15th century by Sankaradeva, the father of Assamese culture. 

In 15th century the first Satra was founded in Majuli. Since then sixty five Satras have come up for the propagation of ethics and socio-cultural ideals. However, at present there are only twenty two Satras exists in Majuli. The others had to be shifted to safer places due to the devastation of flood and erosion.

Some of the satras worth visiting are Auni-ati, Kamalabari, Natun Kamalabari. Uttar Kamalabari.  Dakhinpat, Garamur, Samaguri satra etc.  

MASK MAKING IN SATRAS OF MAJULI

Mask making is one of the most famous traditional crafts still practiced in Majuli. It is mainly practiced by the Sattras.  Samaguri Satra is famous for mask making.  It is worldwide acclaimed in making exquisite masks. Satradhikar Hemchandra Goswami heads Samagauri satra. He is a great artist of maskmaking field, but not a product of in any art school. Goswami’s family has been making masks for over a century.  Traditionally, masks were used for religious dance and drama in satras. They were conceptualized as a tool by Shri Shankaradeva to make and depict the characters of Srimad Bhagwat to the devotees. Masks also helped to provide a physical form to the puranic characters.

HOME OF MIGRATORY BIRDS

it is home to many migratory birds. If you visit in winter you can see so many migratory birds. The Majuli with its fertile floodplains and highly productive wetlands forms the ideal habitat for birds. It not only supports the resident birds but also attracts a large number of migratory birds including some uncommon species. More than 250 species of birds have been recorded on island.If you want to see migratory birds here try to visit Majuli in the month of December and January.

PADDY is TRADITION

Majuli has a rich and diverse agricultural tradition. Here people grow as many as 100 varieties  of paddy. paddy being the chief crop of island. Assam is enriched with a number of indigenous rice varieties rich in high nutrient value. Majuli has a rich tradition of cultivating particular bao-dhaan rice paddy with nearly 1000 hectares of land under this cultivation. Farming in Majuli is traditionally organic as villagers never allow us to spray the chemicals in the paddy fields. 

Handmade Pottery Of Majuli

Majuli river-island has kept persevered the oldest craft on the earth- handmade pottery. The Kumhars of Salmora area in the upper region of Majuli have kept this ancient craft alive. The tradition of handmade pottery has been kept preserved only in three villages of Majuli – Barboka, Kamjan Elengi and Besamora of Salmora. The artisans’ families have also kept alive the ancient barter trade system.  Dr. Brojen Ch. Neog of Majuli college writes traditional Pottery has two methods– handmade and the potter’s wheel. Artisans of Salmora still practice handmade pottery. Despite various challenges this ancient craft is still considered as an important  income generating cottage industry of the river island. Over 600 families are dependent on this nature-friendly craft tradition. Majuli's ancient art of pottery is as old as used in ancient time at Mohanjodaro and Harappa it is not in practice anywhere in India or else where, methods suggest a historic origin of this activity.

Weaving on Looms

There are weaving looms where women can be seen weaving material for sarees and dhoties. You can see couple of people were weaving fabulous Assamese cloth with beautiful designs...you could buy pieces if you wanted to do so. Here you can see the making the meghla saree with handmade art. These sarees are supplied to different shops. 

Mishing tribe of Majuli use to work on looms and they make weave cotton jackets, towels, endi (shawls), thick loincloths and sometimes shirts for their men folk. Weaving is the exclusive preserve of the Mising women who start their training in this craft before they reach their teens. They also have a good knowledge of natural dyes

Where to stay –  In Majuli some Vaishnav satras also offers guest accommodation where devotees and visitors can stay. There are some hotel and government accommodation also found in island. But the best place to stay at Majuli is  La Maison De Ananda. You can spend here a lovely time. 

With Monjit at Majuli ( OCT 2016 ) 

It is a homestay, located at the edge of Garamur village ( contact – Monjit Risong Ph:+91-9957186356,9435205539 )  Monjit wiil be a good friend and guide for you at Majuli. You can also hire scooty and bike from him. 

La Maison De Ananda  means the house of happiness, promises to provide the best tourist accommodation on the island, which is not only an unspoilt paradise but also a treasure trove of Vaishnavite culture. A young French architect named Jim Chauvin  built his dream project ' a cane and bamboo tourist resort with the right mix of modernity and tradition ' on the river island of Majuli.  

The guest house is built in the traditional Mising style of stilt huts made primarily of bamboo. The stilt hut has been built in such a manner that they are permanent structures. It gives the local essence of the place.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

You can go Majuli around the year, but avoid going during rainy days. Some time ferry service closes in Brahmaputra river due to heavy rain in July and august. The best time to visit Majuli is during the Raas festival in November.

How to reach – Majuli can be reached from Jorhat town. Nearest railway station is Jorhat.  From Jorhat town you have to come Nimati Ghat by Tata magic. From Nimati Ghat take a ferry ride for Majuli, It takes around two hours. You can also reach Majuli by bus directly from Guwahati, capital of Assam state.

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