Majuli Information Guide

The alluring land of Assam (North East India) is beautified with panoramic view of lush jungles, verdant plains, mighty water ways and distinct flora and fauna. Assam, the second largest state, is the gateway to incredible North-east India. Beside the vast tea gardens and one-horned rhinoceros, Assam is famed for world's largest riverine island, Majuli. It is the largest fresh water island in South-Asia.

This wonderland of Assam is approximately 300km away from the state capital, Guwahati. It is a famous eco-tourism zone of Assam. It is a hot bio-diversity site of various rare species of flora and fauna. Majuli provides shelter to over 850 different species of birds, fresh water dolphins, large populations of elephants, one-horned rhinos and wild buffalo.

Location and population of Majuli:-
Majuli island is located on the upper reaches of the river Brahmaputra. The island is formed by the Brahmaputra river in the south and the Kherkutia Xuti, an anabranch of the Brahmaputra, joined by the Subansiri river in the north. Previously, Majuli had a total area of 1,250 sq km. Of late, due to rapid soil erosion, the shoreline of Majuli has shrinked a lot and now the total area of Majuli has reduced to approx 650 sq km.

The total population of this river island is 1, 50,000. It is mostly inhabited by the tribal communities like Mishings, Deoris and Assamese Vaishnavite. These tribal communities has very well maintains the true essence of their colorful culture.

Tourists Attractions of Majuli:-
Majuli is a rich repository of Assam's cultural and spiritual heritage. It is the main hub of Assamese neo-Vaisnavite Culture. It has approx 24 Vaishnava monasteries or satras namely Kamalabari, Auniati, Dakhinpat, Benegenaati, Shamaguri and Garamurh. These Vaishnavite satras plays a vital role in propagating the religious ideology of the Assamese medieval Vaisnavite saint Sankardeva and his disciple Madhavdeva. Their preaching is known as the Satria culture. These satras are the major tourists attractions of Majuli.

Majuli is an ideal eco-tourism destination. It is an excellent site for bird watching as it is a rich zone of avifauna species. Every year during winter season, thousands of migratory birds visits this exotic land. Here you can view some rare bird species like the Greater Adjutant Stork , Pelican, Siberian Crane and the Whistling Teal. After dusk, flocks of wild geese and ducks fly to distant destinations.

Other major attractions of Majuli island are the Ali-ai-ligang festival which is celebrated in Feb-March and Paal Namm festival which takes place in the end of winter. You can even visit the pottery making centres and homespun masks craft centres.

Ideal Time to Visit:-
Majuli suffers most by the chronic rainfall during monsoons. At this time of the year, the rivers swell and vast tracts of land are submerged. So, the main season to enjoy the serene beauty of Majuli is autumn and winter.

Access:-
Majuli is easily accessible from Jorhat town of Assam. Majuli is only approx 20km from Jorhat. Buses and taxis can be hired from Jorhat to reach the Nimati Steamer Ghat, from where regular ferry service is available.

Accommodation:-
Gradually, Majuli has developed into one of the famous tourist spot of Assam. Majuli is a small place but still have some good staying options such as Circuit House, Government Inspection Bungalow. Even you can stay in satras (monasteries) but prior information should be provided to the head of the monasteries..