Travel Guide Majuli Island

As any Assamese will tell you, Majuli is the world's largest river island. This fact was validated by the Guinness Book of Records in 2016. The southern tip of the island lies opposite Jorhat. It lies at the confluence of the Brahmaputra and Subansiri rivers. At the beginning of the 20th century, the island covered an area of 880 km². Erosion and monsoonal changes to the waterways have considerably reduced the size of this alluvial island. In 2014, only 352 km² of land remained. The island has around 140,000 inhabitants and 140 villages. The island's peaceful, rural atmosphere is extremely pleasant. Around a hundred different varieties of rice are grown here, without the addition of pesticides or chemical fertilizers, guaranteeing food self-sufficiency for the island's inhabitants. Tribal, non-tribal and untouchable castes live in perfect harmony in thatched bamboo houses on stilts. The main tribe is the Mising, believed to have descended from Arunachal Pradesh centuries ago. This mix of origins makes pretty Majuli an important center of Assamese culture. A stroll through the villages is enough to confirm this. Every house has a loom set up under the stilts, the men bring out their dhol (Assamese drum) for each festival, while the women in traditional dress gather to dance. The island is considered sacred by some Hindus. It is home to numerous sattras, Vishnu monasteries dedicated to the god Vishnu and Krishna, his most famous incarnation, where ancestral rites unique to India are perpetuated. The beauty and tranquility of its landscapes, its respect for tradition and its birdlife make Majuli a must-see if you're visiting Assam.