SATRAS

Majuli is the spiritual center of Neo-Vishnoism, a cult dedicated to Krishna that appeared in the ^15th century. This branch of Hinduism was founded by the Assamese saint Srimanta Sankardeva, who came to take refuge on the island. He founded a monastery in Beloguri in the west of the island. Subsequently, 64 other monasteries were built, all having their guru. Today there are 22 monasteries on the island. Some monks are very young, as their parents send them to receive a free education. The monk usually returns once a year to his family. He spends the rest of the time at the monastery praying and studying the sacred texts. The establishments live on the generosity of the faithful. The most important satras often have a small museum which contains many objects related to the rituals and sometimes also weapons and precious furniture. Traditional dances are regularly held there in the evening, a spectacle not to be missed.

The access to the satra is through an arch, sometimes richly decorated. You will always find a prayer hall preceded by a garuda - the sacred vehicle of Vishnu -, a pool and buildings that house the monks. Out of respect, you should wear a gamucha (white cotton scarf embroidered with red thread).

Satra Dakhinpat : founded in 1584, it is the most famous of the satras. It was founded by Sri Vanamalidev, a priest "protected" by the ahom king Jayadhvaj Singh, who largely contributed to the wealth of the monastery. Currently, the monastery has about a hundred monks. Its dance performances are very popular with devotees and tourists.

Satra Kamalabari : founded by Bedulapadma Ata, it is today an artistic, cultural and literary center. The satra is famous for its dance performances and its monks regularly travel around the world to spread their culture.

Satra Chamaguri: Hem Chandra Goswami's family has been carrying on the tradition of mask making for generations. They are the last to practice this venerable art and perform Bhaona all over the world. The structures are made from a very light variety of bamboo. A thin cotton cloth dipped in a paste of clay and cow dung is molded onto the structure. Successive layers of paste are then applied and dried in the sun. The mask is then sculpted and painted. The hair and whiskers are made from jute and water hyacinth.

Satra Auniati : founded by Niranjan Pathakdeva, this satra has about 700 followers throughout the world. It perpetuates the tradition of Palnam, a prayer practiced continuously and by rotation by the members of the congregation during the last 5 days of the month of Kati (October-November). On this occasion, many devotees gather in the prayer hall. The satra museum houses many Assamese handicrafts, jewelry and sacred objects.

Satra Garmur: founded in 1656 by Jayaharideva. This is the place to be during the Rasleela festival, an ancient celebration that takes place on the evening of the full moon in the month of Kati (October-November). There are dances depicting the life of Krishna and in this satra, men and women participate in the performance.

Satra Benegenaati: it is an important cultural center where the tradition of the sacred dance is perpetuated. The museum also houses important relics including a golden parasol that belonged to the ahom king Swargadeo Godadhar Singh.