Majoli - also called Majuli, is the world's largest freshwater-river
island located in the middle of the vast River Brahmaputra in Assam
State of India. Garamur is the sub-divisional headquarters of
Majuli.Majuli derives its name from 'Madhyajuli' meaning 'centre place
between two rivers' which Majuli .
The Majuli Island is
surrounded by the Brahmaputra River on the south and the Subansiri River
(the largest tributary of Brahmaputra) on the north.Majuli Island is
about 25 kms north from Jorhat by ferry. Majuli Island is about 330 kms
northeast of Guwahati via Jorhat.Being a wetland, Majuli is a hotspot
for countless species of endemic and exotic bird.
Island Tourism cannot be better than this. Especially when you're least
expecting it. Majuli river-island is a fringed benefit - a bonus of
visiting Assam State. Majuli is the world's largest riverine island
encompassing about 2 lakh acres of land and is located right in the
middle of River Brahmaputra near Jorhat city in Assam. Either you visit
Majuli via a ferry from Jorhat city which operate twice a day or you
take a full-blown river-cruise on board a ship from either Dibrugarh or
from Guwahati. And another pleasant surprise that you get on this Island
is the sight of large number of native and migratory birds
The people of Majuli represent the varied ethnic forms of cultural heritage. Hospitality of Majulians are remarkable. As you travel through this river island you will experience tribes with traditions you could never imagine to be in existence. Open-heart attitude, which is the hallmark of the Majulians, is sure to make carry their images all through out your life. Such is the type of love evoking lot of people the Majulians
This landmass, with a population of 1.6 Lakhs, majority being tribals, has a very rich heritage and has been the abode of Assamese Vashnavite culture with tremendous potential for spiritual and Eco-tourism. The island is a bio-diversity hotspot and has rich ecology with rare breeds of flora and fauna.
Tourist interests
The representation of all ethnic groups under one roof retaining their respective individual and traditional cultural entities is a very striking phenomenon that easily attracts the visitors to this island. With the glories history of five hundred years of Satriya living cultural tradition, the rich and colourful tribal cultural elements and the natural beauty with a unique assemblage of flora and fauna; Majuli has the charm to beckon the tourists unraveling itself as paradise on the earth. Extinct species of various migratory birds are found in Majuli which creates an environment of bird sanctuary.
Following are some of the Tourist attractions
The Vaishnava Satras were founded by Sankardeva
The colourful culture of the tribes
Migratory birds
The Ali-ai-ligang festival in Feb-March
Pottery making
Mask making
Paal Namm festival in the end of winter
The sunset in winter
Exotic homespun masks crafts
Vaishnava Satras
In Majuli, Sankardeva established the first Vaishnava Sattra in Assam during the reign of Dihingia Raja from 1497-1539 at Dhoahat –Belguri. Records show that as in 1557 the following Sattras had been established in Majuli by various apostles of Sankardeva.
•Kathbapu Sattra in 1557
•Bengana-Ati Sattra in 1662
•The group of Bar-elengi Sattra in 1558
•Auni-Ati and Dakhinpat in 1662
•Kamalabari Sattra in 1673
Bird watching
There are 3 locales for bird watching
1.The southeast of Majuli Island
2.The southwest of Majuli Island
3.The northern part of Majuli Island
The Majuli Festival (Festival of Asam)
The Majuli Festival of Assam offers you a lot of scope to make you a part of this festival. Special events are being organised during the festivals days round the clock. Cultural programmes takes place with the participation of various traditional and classical cultural troupes of Assam and troupes from rest of the country, in addition to rich cultural heritage of Majuli.
Ecological Decay
Due to relentless erosion, the very existence of the island is threatened. It is facing substantial erosion since the great earthquake of 1950 and the erosion has became acute after1974. About 1/3rd of the landmass has been eroded in the past half century. Annual floods have also been playing havoc due to shallowing of the river Brahmaputra, resulting in losses amounting to crores of rupees to the national exchequer every year without any permanent solution till now.
The issue of protection of Majuli Island has been raised at different levels during the last couple of years. Its uniqueness due to cultural and natural heritage makes it a fit case for preserving under the aegis of the UNESCO as a world heritage site. Govt. of India has already sent study teams both from Archeology and Environment Departments and findings are quite positive
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