Majuli
Majuli or Majoli (Assamese: মাজুলী Majulī) is the largest island in the Brahmaputra River in Assam. Mājuli used to have a total area of 1,250 km² (483 sq mi), but by 2014, erosion had reduced its area to 352 km². The nearest city is Jorhat town. Krishna, the popular Hindu god, is supposed to have played here with his friends.
Understand
Majuli (mah-zoo-lih) has been the cultural capital of Assamese civilisation since the 16th century. Many Xatras (Satras) or monasteries constructed by the saints still survive and represent the colourful Assamese culture. Vaishnava Satra was founded by Sankardeva, the father of Assamese culture. The main surviving Xatras are Dakhinpat Xatra, Garamurh Xatra, Auniati Xatra, Kamalabari Xatra, Benegenaati Xatra and Shamaguri Xatra. One can view a complete panorama of the island on reaching Kamalabari Ghat by ferry.
Get in
- To reach Majuli islands one has to reach Neamati Ghat through rickshaws or shared taxis available from Jorhat town. At Neamati Ghat, Ferry rides are available from 8:30AM to 4PM. The ferries can get crowded quickly, it might be advisable to get there a bit early than departure times.
- Hire a Sumo Taxi to visit all Satras by bargaining the rates to 60-70% of the offered amount.
- Return Ferries are available from Kamalabari Ghat till 3PM.
- Due to the long ferry ride and early arrival back, you might want to spend more than one night on Majuli
Get around
- Rent a bicycle or a motorbike
See
- View of endless river from the front of Ferry
- The endless island view at Kamalabari Ghat
- Dakhinpat Satra
- Garamurh Satra
- Auniati Satra
- Kamalabari Satra
- Benegenaati Satra
- Shamaguri Satra
- Missing Village Life
- Slightly down the road from Garmur Sutra Market is a very nice pot to see the sunset.
Do
- Enjoy a long ferry ride of 1½ hr from Neamati Ghat to Kamalabari Ghat.
- A group lunch on the island on the bank of Brahmaputra river. Take lunch from home due to less facilities available there.
- Watch the Ali-ai-ligang festival in Feb-March.
- Watch the Migratory birds at southeast, southwest and northern part of island.
- Watch Pottery making
- Watch Mask making
- Paal Namm festival in the end of winter
Buy
- Komal Saul. Komal saul is a unique type of rice from Assam that can be eaten without cooking. It is rendered fluffy and edible by being soaked in water for a short time. The rice may be eaten with milk or curd, jaggery, yogurt after being immersed in warm water for just 15-20 minutes.
- Bora saul. Bora saul is a variety of glutinous rice found in Assam. It has an important role in Assamese traditional occasions like Bihu. It is used in Jolpan (snacks) and Pitha (ricecake or pancake). Soaked and ground bora saul is used in preparing Pitha. Boiled bora saul is served as Jolpan with curd or milk, jaggery or sugar.
Eat
Normal food is available here but it is best to bring food from home to enjoy the one day picnic.
Drink
Sleep
Many hotels and guest houses are available on the island at different costs.
- Circuit House Garamur, Garamur, ☏ +91 3775-274439. 8 two-bedded rooms and 2 VIP suites
- Prashanti Eco Tourism Resort (Assam Tourism Development Corporation), Kamalabari, ☏ +91 9435734138. The lodge is operated by Department of Tourism and Assam Tourism Development Corporation Limited.
- La Maison de Ananda, Natun Kulamora Chapori N.C., ☏ +919957186356. Check-in: 11:00, check-out: 12:00. Traditional hut built in 2005 by a French architect that was then donated to the actual owner, Manjit Risang and his family. Not particularly comfortable but it is interesting to see how local people lived in the past (in more remote parts of Majuli many still live in such houses). Next to the hut there is a concrete building with more modern facilities. Other in-line huts were built later to accomodate extra guests. Breakfast is served in the morning and it possible to have dinner with the family that is still cooking in the traditional way. Moderate price for a great and unique experience. The owner is super friendly and knows the area very well, he can give you precious suggestions.
Connect
- Majuli Information Center (MIC), ☏ +91-9490069000.