Nuzzled in the lap of the mighty Brahmaputra River, Majuli is the largest riverine island in the World, which is formed by the Brahmaputra River in the south and the Kherkutia Xuti, a tributary of the River Brhamaputra, which is united by the Subansiri River on the north. Pride of Assam, this island had a total area 1,250 sq.km but owing to continuous erosion, today, it covers a total area of 421.65 sq. km. It is this place where the 16th century Srimanta Sankardeva, the father of Assamese culture, first founded the Satra, a neo-Vaishnavite monastery, which makes this island even today, the main seat of Neo-Vaishnavite culture.
The name Majuli is derived from the word Majoli, which in local language means the land formed by two parallel rivers. It is the cultural hub of Assamese culture, which cherishes a number of Satras and Manikanchan Sanjog, which no longer exist was the first satra made by Shankardev and Madhavdev, his prime disciple. Owing to the continuous flood and erosion, out of 65 satras, only 22 of these exist. Garamurh Satra, Kamalabari Satra, Dakhinpat Satra, Auniati Satra, etc. just to name a few are the prominent satras of this beautiful island. This mesmerizing and captivating island is mainly inhabited by the Mising tribe along with Sonwal Kacharis and Deoris. Being the cultural seat of Assam, the island has preserved the age-old rich cultural heritage of the State and the satras put on display a variety of antique ethnic items that includes utensils, jewelleries and weapons. Every year, a three-day long raas festival is organized, where the life of Lord Krishna is portrayed attracts a horde of visitors from various parts of the globe. The island is enliven during this festival and is celebrated with grandeur where all the inhabitants participate.
The island is surrounded by a number of small isles, which are called Chaporis in Assamese language adds to the beauty of this place and forms a braid like structure on the river. With agriculture being the main industry and paddy being the main crop grown here, Majuli has a bountiful and diverse agrarian practice and a plethora of different variety of rice is grown. Besides farming, dairying, boat-making, handloom, pottery and fishing are the other occupation of the inhabitants of this island. The island is famous for producing hand woven clothes made of Assam Silk, Muga Silk and Cotton.
Being situated on the middle of the mighty river Brahmaputra, Majuli can be reached by a ferry, which operates twice a day from Jorhat. Situated at a distance of about 20 km from Jorhat, a number of buses ply from the main town to the point from where ferry service operates. This beautiful island is visited by a horde of tourist from across the globe to get a glimpse of the Neo-Vaishnavate culture that still exists here in the Satras. Besides the Satras, one can as well spot a number of endangered avian species on the island that comprises whistling teal, pelican and greater adjutant stork.
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