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Majuli Tourism – An Ultimate Travel Guide, 2022

Majuli (mazuli) is an island in the Brahmaputra River in Assam, came to be known as India’s first island to be designated as a district in 2016. The island of Majuli is the largest river island in the world. The island is created when the Subansiri River joins the Brahmaputra River in the north and the Kherkutia Xuti, a tributary of the Brahmaputra River, in the south. From the city of Jorhat, many ferries run to Majuli Island.. The major city of the state of Assam, Guwahati, is located roughly 300–400 kilometers (186-249 mi) east of the island. It was created as a result of the Brahmaputra River and its tributaries, particularly the Lohit, altering their courses. Majuli has been listed as a potential World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 2004. Tribal groups such the Musings, Deoris, and Sonowal Kacharis live on the Island. For the past 500 years, it has additionally been referred to as “the cultural capital and the cradle of Assamese culture.” Majuli is also a hub for Assamese Vaishnavite culture, which is one of the main Hindu traditions. The satra is the most significant element of Neo Vaishnavism culture. These serve as the Neo Vaishnavite disciple’s temple and cultural center. Neo Vaishnavism is practiced by a large portion of the Assamese population. To promote culture and education in the past, Saint Srimanta Sankardeva constructed 64 satras. Only 31 satras remain on Majuli Island due to erosion. Every satra has a distinct cultural significance and works to maintain a distinctive aesthetic quality in music, literature, dance, drama, etc.

What Makes Majuli So Famous?

  • What makes Majuli stand out is the fact that it is India’s first island to be designated as a district and one of the largest river islands in the whole world.
  • It is a leading center of Neo Vaishnavism. Majuli has long been the hub of Assamese culture, according to records of the social reformer Srimanta Sankardeva’s visit there in the 16th century. The monotheistic form of Hinduism known as Vaishnavism was promoted by Sankardeva, a founder of the Middle Ages’ neo-Vaishnavite movement, who also founded monasteries and hermitages known as satra on the island
  • The masks made in Majuli are used in various stage plays and dramas. These masks are famous worldwide and people from all over the world order these for various purposes . The art of mask making has only been preserved by the Samaguri Satra.
  • It is a disappearing island. The Brahmaputra river’s swift waters are gradually eroding Majuli island, which once held the title of largest river island in the world according to the Guinness Book of Records. Every year, erosion rips away its banks, destroying people, homes, and lands. Majuli Island’s area decreased by more than 60% over the past century, going from more than 1,000 km2 to only 400 km2.
  • The introduction of plastic packaging and mobile phones to Majuli Island occurred only in 2009, respectively, while the island is still constructing roads and bridges through its lush farmlands and forests. Majuli island is hence a picturesque location that appears to be frozen in time.

Things to do in Majuli

  • Try the famous Rice Beer:Rice Beer is prepared by the Mising tribe of Majuli. This unique beverage is made by allowing rice to ferment throughout the day to create home-brewed rice alcohol. The rice beer is provided as a welcome drink to all visitors to the homes of the Mising tribes.
  • Catch Sunset through the Brahmaputra river:The view of Majuli from the ferry’s top deck is like the cherry on top. Try to board the 3:00 PM ferry from Kamalabari, which is the final one. you will witness the most magnificent sunset vistas through the vast Brahmaputra that will leave you stunned. Your vacation in Majuli will be even more unforgettable thanks to the ultimate experience, which you will cherish forever.
  • Admire the art of the mask makers:Some of the magnificent traditional mask-making techniques that have been practiced on the island since its inception are found in Mask Makers Village Majuli. From religious texts, the artist in this location creates masks of numerous Gods, deities, and other gothic idols. None of the masks on exhibit are for sale because there is such a high demand for these masks in theater art and street plays. They are all only produced on demand and sent directly to the designated destination. Stop by and appreciate their efforts if you spot any of these artists!
  • Indulge in a delicious Majuli Thaali :Majuli is the perfect location if you are a true foodie! You would enjoy the food on this island because it is all-you-can-eat, and the veg and non-veg thalis are unmissable. The thalis are quite reasonably priced and come with dal, rice, little steamed jacket potatoes, one vegetable, a papad, a spicy chutney made locally in the Assami region, and rice kheer at the end. Chicken or river fish is served as part of the non-veg thali.

Adventurous Activities to do in Majuli

  • Bird Watching:Bird viewing is a popular activity on Majuli Island. In the winter, migrating birds reside in the marshes, and between November and March, bird watching is a well-liked activity. Pelicans, storks, Siberian cranes, and whistling teals are some of the birds that can be spotted in this area. Additionally, there are a lot of wild ducks and geese roaming the marshes and roadways. On the island, the southeast, southwest, and northern tip are the three primary locations for bird watching: Sakuli Beel, near Kamalabari Magurmari Beel at Dakhinpaat Satra & Verki Beel, near Kamalabari
  • Brahmaputra River Cruise:Visits and activities on Brahmaputra cruises include seeing wildlife, going on village walks, going to tea gardens, touring rural villages in cycle rickshaws, having barbecues on abandoned river islands, seeing dance performances, and going to artisan workshops. Cruises between October and April that are named after the Assam Despatch service, a daily mail and passenger service that formerly ran from Kolkata up the Brahmaputra to Dibrugarh are provided. Itineraries of up to 14 nights can be made by combining multiple cruises. You may explore different services provided by the cruise companies for cruise tour bookings.
  • River Brahmaputra offers many opportunities!:There are many possibilities to enjoy river life on the great Brahmaputra. You can rent a boat and navigate the Brahmaputra downstream.

Itineraries for Majuli Tour

You can choose your ideal Guwahati Tour plan from our list of Majuli Tour Packages.

How do we reach Majuli

You can reach Shillong by road, rail or flight.
By Road
By Rail
By Air

Majuli is a river island and is not connected to any significant towns or cities by roads. Therefore, tourists cannot be transported to the tiny island by buses or taxis. Jorhat is accessible by road. In order to get to Jorhat, travellers must take a 7-hour bus ride from Guwahati. To get to Jorhat, travellers can also use a private taxi. To get to Majuli from here, though, they will need to rely on ferries.

There are no railway stations in Majuli. Tourists must take trains from Guwahati to Jorhat, the closest rail station to Majuli, in order to reach Majuli by train. From Jorhat, tourists can take buses and cabs to Neemati Ghat, where they can board ferries that will take them to Majuli.

To get to Jorhat Airport, also known as Rowriah Airport, there are frequent flights leaving from Guwahati and other eastern and north-eastern cities. To go to Neemati Ghat, which is 14 kilometers from Jorhat, visitors can take a bus or a taxi from Jorhat. There are ferry services available for tourists to use to travel to Majuli from Neemati Ghat. There are two ferry trips per day from Neemati Ghat to Majuli. 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. are the times.

Languages
History
People

Assamese and Mising are the primary languages used by the inhabitants. Several people also speak Deori.

The Brahmaputra and Burhi Dihing rivers met near Lakhu on the island, which was also called Majoli. It was originally known as Ratnapur and served as the capital of the powerful Chutia kingdom. The repeated earthquakes that occurred between 1661 and 1696 were the main cause of the disastrous flood that occurred in 1750 and lasted for 15 days. This flood caused the Brahmaputra to overflow into the lower channel of the Burhi Dihing, forming Majuli island. According to documented accounts of the visit of social reformer Srimanta Sankardeva in the 16th century, Majuli has been the center of Assamese culture since that time. Sankardeva, a forerunner of the neo-Vaishnavite movement of the Middle Ages, promoted Vaishnavism, a monotheistic branch of Hinduism, and founded monasteries and hermitages known as satra on the islet. With the building of these satras, the island quickly rose to prominence as the principal Vaishnavite hub. Majuli was governed by the British from the time they arrived until 1947, when India became independent.

There are scheduled castes, non-tribals, and tribal people living in Majuli. The Sonowal Kacharis, the Deoris, and the Misings are among the tribal groups. Included among the non-tribal groups are the Koch, Kalitas, Ahoms, Chutias, Keot, and Yogis, among others. Having migrated to Majuli from Arunachal Pradesh decades ago, the Mising community has the greatest population on the island. Mising, Assamese, and Deori are the three main languages used. A density of 300 people per square km may be found on the island’s 144 villages, which have a combined population of almost 150,000. Handmade pots made of river clay are the main source of income for the Kumar people in southeast Majuli. They must remain along the river’s edge due to the nature of their materials. The necessity to carry goods aboard boats in order to conduct business throughout Assam solidifies the choice.

Rainfall in Majuli

Majuli Island experiences the same sub-tropical monsoon climate as the rest of Assam. The local climate is comparable to that of Nepal’s and India’s northeastern regions. Summers are typically quite hot and extremely humid. Around 215 cm of rainfall occurs on average per year in the region. All of the island’s major celebrations take place during the mild and beautiful winter months.In Majuli, the monsoon season begins in July and lasts through August, after which the post-monsoon season begins. The lovely green cloak spreads across the entire island during this season. Typically, during the monsoon, the area floods. The river is running quickly, making it easier to cross at this time.

Weather in Majuli

Majuli can have stiflingly hot summers, and year-round travel can be difficult due to the region’s perpetual rain and humidity. Therefore, late fall and early winter or spring are the best times to visit Majuli. Summer is not the finest season to travel or enjoy the countryside, especially in the late summer when it becomes oppressively hot. Typically, during the monsoon, the area floods. The river is running quickly, making it easier to cross at this time. The best time to visit the island is during Lord Krishna’s Raas festival, which occurs on the full moon in November. The weather in the colder months of November, December, January is mildly cool but humid. June and July are the hottest months and April can be considered as the windiest of all.

Best Places to stay in Majuli

When in Majuli, you can find accommodation majorly in bamboo cottages. This is what makes Majuli stand out from other towns in the northeast. Since Majuli is an island, there are more cottages constructed of bamboo than concrete resorts. There are a variety of such cottages and some of them have a tree house-like feel to them. Some options for accommodation that you may consider are:

HotelLocation
Ygdrasill Bamboo CottageKerala Gaon
River View Bamboo CottageGaramur
Jonki PanoiMising Gaon
Enchanting Majuli ResortGaramur Chariali
La Maison de AnandaNatun Kulamora Chapori

Frequently Asked Questions about Majuli Tourism

1. How can I get around Majuli?

For a special experience, you can employ boat services to travel down the river. In order to travel around, you can also rent bicycles.

2. Is it safe to stay in Majuli?

Your stay in Majuli would be comfortable due to the abundance of hotels, lodges, and guest houses. People here will make you feel at home by outstanding hospitality, friendly staff, and first-rate services. Food is provided, and it is reasonably priced and of high quality. Even the accommodation rates are reasonable for most people. It’s simple to decide to stay in a cottage as well. It feels like a home away from home when you stay at Majuli!

3. What can I explore in one day at Majuli?

1. Visit the famous Shri Shri Dakhinpat Satra 
2. Eat a scrumptious Majuli Thaali filled with Assamese dishes at a local restaurant 
3. Try Rice Beer
4. Take a brief walk at Pathorichuk
5. Visit the well known Chamaguri Satra and appreciate the work of mask makers
6. End your day by catching the sunset on a ferry ride

4. Is Wifi available at Majuli?

In Majuli, Wi-Fi is not always readily available. The guests of a few hotels inMajuli have access to Wi-Fi. These hotels may offer free Wi-Fi or charge a fee for it. Additionally, you can search the city for Internet cafés.

5. What are the famous things I can buy from Majuli?

Masks, clay pots, and traditional dresses are some of the things you can buy from the local shops of Majuli. Due to the high quality, they get orders for masks from all across the nation and the world.

6. What is the best time to visit Majuli?

The best months to visit are from October to March. The weather is pleasant during this time. In the months of November & December there is a celebration called Raas Festival which takes place every year in devotion to Lord Krishna. You may visit Majuli to witness these festivities!

7. How to reach Majuli?

Majuli is a river island and is not connected to any significant towns or cities by roads or rails. In order to reach Majuli, you first need to travel to Jorhat and then take a ferry from Neemati Ghat. There are ferry services available for tourists to use to travel to Majuli from Neemati Ghat. From Neemati Ghat to Majuli, there are two ferry runs every day.

8. What are the things to be kept in mind before visiting Majuli?

Due to the size of the island, you should hire a guide as well as a cab or bicycle.
Carry enough cash because ATMs frequently run out of money or are closed.
Networks for phones and the internet are not very good.
Make sure you have enough time because ferries frequently get stuck due to heavy fog or strong currents.

9. What are the best resorts to stay in Majuli?

Majuli majorly offers bamboo cottages as an option for the tourists to stay. However there are resorts as well as homestays. Here are some of the places for accommodation –
Ygdrasill Bamboo Cottage – Kerala Gaon
River View Bamboo Cottage – Garamur
Jonki Panoi – Mising Gaon
Enchanting Majuli Resort – Garamur Chariali
La Maison de Ananda – Natun Kulamora Chapori

10. What about Majuli is problematic?

Majuli is not directly connected by roads, trains, or airways. There aren’t many lodging options in this area. Only a few choices for eating. Majuli continues to deteriorate owing to erosion.