Majuli

Majuli (also spelled Majoli) is the largest river island in Assam, a state in northeastern India. It is bordered by the Brahmaputra River to the South and East, the Subansiri River to the West, and an anabranch of the Brahmaputra River.

The island is inhabited by members of the Mising, Deori, and Sonowal Kachari tribes and serves as a hub of Assamese neo-Vaishnavite culture. It is accessible by ferry or boat from Jorhat, which is located about 250 kilometers northeast of Guwahati.

It was the first island in India to become a district in 2016. Since 2004, Majuli has been on the UNESCO Tentative List for nomination as a World Heritage Site.

Largest river island

Majuli is recognized by Guinness World Records as the world's largest inland river island. However, the Encyclopædia Britannica cites Bananal Island in Brazil as the largest in the world.

The dispute stems from the Araguaia River, which forms Bananal Island by either splitting into two separate rivers that later rejoin or remaining as one river that forms an island in its middle.

History

The island is a long and slender piece of land located between two parallel rivers: the Brahmaputra river to the north and the Burhi dihing river to the south. Between 1661 and 1696, a series of earthquakes set the stage for a massive flood in 1750, reshaping the region. This flood caused the Brahmaputra to change its course, which resulted in the formation of Majuli Island.

In the first half of the 17th century, the Ahom king Pratap Singha built a rampart on Majuli called Meragarh. Lakshmi Singha, who reigned as Ahom king from 1769 to 1780, wrote a grant in 1776 referring to "Majuli Pradesh" and its Kamalabari Satra, Agnichapori, Gajala Satra, and the Tuni River. During the Moamaria rebellion, the island was controlled by Howha, a Moamaria rebel leader.

The Burhi Dihing's confluence moved east by 190 km due to the 1750 flood. The southern channel became the Burhi Xuti, while the northern channel turned into the Luit Xuti. Over time, the Luit Xuti has shrunk, becoming the Kerkota Xuti (the diminished channel of the Brahmaputra River), and the Burhi Xuti has expanded to become the main Brahmaputra River.

Majuli has been the cultural hub of Assamese civilization since the 16th century, largely due to the visit of Srimanta Sankardev, a social reformer of that era. Sankardev, a pioneer of the neo-Vaishnavite movement, preached Vaishnavism and established monasteries called satras on the island.

Majuli became a major hub of Vaishnavism with the establishment of satras. It remained under British rule until India gained independence in 1947 and became recognized as the world's largest river island.

Over the last 200 years, Majuli has shrunk in size as the river surrounding it has expanded. In the 1790s, the island covered an area of Template:Cvt. By the beginning of the 20th century, it had an area of Template:Convert; however, due to significant erosion, it covered only Template:Convert as of 2024.

Culture and demography

Population

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A village in Majuli

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A Deori community woman weaving Gamusa

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From Kamalabari

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Kamalabari Satra

The population of Majuli consists of 46.38% scheduled tribes and 14.27% Scheduled castes, as well as non-tribal castes of Hindu Assamese. The majority of the island's population is Hindu with 99.04% following Hinduism. The Indigenous communities include members of the Mising (41.01%), Deori, Kaibarta, and Sonowal Kachari tribes. The non-tribal caste Hindu Assamese communities include Koch, Kalita, Ahom, Sutiya, and Jogi. The languages spoken are Mising, Assamese, and Deori. The island has 144 villages with a population of over 150,000, resulting in a density of 300 individuals per square kilometer.

A ferry service connecting Majuli to Jorhat operates six times a day, and night buses run from Guwahati to Majuli via Lakhimpur. Despite various challenges, modernization has reached the island with the establishment of medical centers and schools. Housing has also transitioned from traditional bamboo and mud structures to concrete buildings.

Festivals

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Gayan Bayan in Majuli

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Raas leela in Majuli

The Ali-Ai-Ligang festival, celebrated mid-February for five days, is a grand event that starts on the second Wednesday and ends on the first Wednesday of the Falgun month. Local dishes such as purang apin (packed boiled rice), apong (rice beer), and various pork, fish, and chicken dishes are served. The traditional Mising dance called Gumrag Soman is performed in every village to worship Donyi Polo (Mother Sun and Father Moon) for a good harvest.

In upper Majuli, the majority of Christians from the Mising tribe celebrate Christmas, particularly in the village of Jengraimukh. For the last half millennium, Majuli has served as the cultural center and cradle of Assamese civilization. The satras safeguard ancient artifacts such as weapons, utensils, jewelry, and other culturally significant items. Traditional pottery is crafted using clay and fired in driftwood kilns, following the methods of the ancient Harappan Civilization. Despite pressure from modernizing forces, these ancient cultural practices and dance forms still prevail. The handloom work of these tribes enjoys international acclaim.

The three-day long Raas Mahotsav festival, which portrays the life of Lord Krishna, involves virtually everyone on the island. People from afar, including expatriates, come to celebrate. The satras have mastered various art and craft traditions, some of which are exclusive to this region. For instance, mask-making is a craft practiced at Natun Samuguri Satra, while Kamalabari Satra is renowned for crafting exceptional boats.

Neo-Vaishnavite Satras

Majuli has long been the center of Assamese neo-Vaishnavite culture, which began in the 15th century under the guidance of the Assamese saint Srimanta Sankardeva and his disciple Madhavdeva. Many of the satras built by Sankardeva still stand, reflecting the vibrant Assamese culture. Sankardeva sought refuge in Majuli, spending time in Belguri in West Majuli, where the historic Manikanchan Sanjog incident took place when he met Madhavdeva for the first time. The first satra in Majuli was established in Belguri by Sankardeva, leading to the creation of a total of 65 satras. However, today, only 22 of the original 65 are still active. Out of the 665 original satras in Assam, 65 were located in Majuli.

The main surviving Satras (Satra) are:

• Dakhinpat Satra: Founded by Banamalidev, it is known for celebrating Raasleela, which is now recognized as one of Assam's national festivals.
• Garamur Satra: Founded by Lakshmikantadeva, Garamur Satra consists of two parts: Garamur Bor Satra and Garamur Saru Satra. Both parts celebrate the traditional Raasleela with grandeur at the end of autumn and house ancient weapons known as "Bartop" or cannons.
• Auniati Satra: Founded by Niranjan Pathakdeva, this satra is renowned for "Paalnaam" and Apsara dances, as well as its extensive collection of ancient Assamese artifacts, utensils, jewelry, and handicrafts. It has 125 disciples and over 700,000 global followers.
• Kamalabari Satra: Founded by Bedulapadma Ata, Kamalabari Satra is a center of art, culture, literature, and classical studies on the island. Its branch, the Uttar Kamalabari Satra, has performed cultural programs of Satria art both across the country and abroad.
• Narashingha Satra: Established in 1746 by Ahom King Promottra Singha, Shri Shri Alengi Narasingha Satra is a notable institution on the island.
• Benegenaati Satra: This satra is a reliquary of culturally significant antiques and an advanced center of performing arts. It was founded by Muraridev, the grandson of Sankaradeva's stepmother. Among its notable artifacts is the royal raiment belonging to Ahom King Swargadeo Godadhar Singha, which is made of gold. The satra also preserves a royal umbrella crafted from gold.
• Shamaguri Satra: This satra is famous for mask-making in India.
• Bihimpur Satra: This satra holds the treasures of "Borgeet," Matiakhara, and Satriya dances, including various forms such as Jumora Dance, Chali Dance, Notua Dance, Nande Vringee, Sutradhar, Ozapali, Apsara Dance, Satria Krishna Dance, and Dasavater Dance, all propagated by Srimanta Sankardeva. Additionally, it has become a center for spiritual purification (shuddhi) in Northeast India, thanks to the efforts of Pitambar Deva Goswami.

Literature

Neo-Vaishnavite preacher Madhavdev met his guru, Shankar Dev, the founder of neo-Vaishnavism, on the island in an event termed the "Manikanchan Sanjog." Madhavdev and his mentor enriched Assamese literature by writing, among other works, Nam Ghosa, Borgeet, and Bhatima. Following the footsteps of these Vaishnava leaders, the temples (satras) encouraged the writing of plays and devotional songs.

Majuli has also given birth to a host of literary luminaries, including well-renowned writers such as Dhruba Jyoti Borah, poet and critic Rajib Borah, bilingual critic and writer Bhaskar Jyoti Nath, Juri Borah Borgohain, Deba Bhushan Borah, historian Dambarudhar Nath, novelist Gobin Khound, and poet Danny Gam.

The second Assamese newspaper, Asom Bilasini, was published from Majuli starting in 1871.

Ecology

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Majuli wetland

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The island is shrinking due to erosion.

Majuli is a wetland that serves as a habitat for various rare and endangered avian species, particularly migratory birds that visit during the winter. Species include the greater adjutant stork, pelican, Siberian crane, and whistling teal. After dark, wild geese and ducks take flight to distant destinations. The island remains relatively pollution-free due to the absence of industrial activity and consistent rainfall.

However, Majuli faces a significant threat from extensive soil erosion along its banks. Large embankments built in nearby towns upstream to prevent erosion during the monsoon season have had unintended consequences. The turbulent Brahmaputra River now erodes much of the island. Reports indicate that by 1853, Majuli's total area was 1,150 km², and roughly 33% of this landmass eroded in the latter half of the 20th century. Since 1991, more than 35 villages have been washed away, and surveys predict that Majuli may cease to exist within the next 15 to 20 years.

To save the island, the Union Government of India has sanctioned ₹ 2.50 billion (US$55 million) for its protection. The Water Resources Department and the Brahmaputra Board have been struggling to solve the erosion problem for the last three decades but have had little success. Recently, it was suggested that constructing a four-lane highway protected by a concrete mat along the southern boundary of Majuli, along with the excavation of the riverbed of the Brahmaputra River, could help address the issue. The project also includes two floodgates for the Kherkatia Suti, a tributary of the Brahmaputra. The Brahmaputra River Restoration Project has yet to be implemented by the government. However, a nomination has been submitted to UNESCO for declaring Majuli as a World Heritage Site.

Local environmental activist Jadav Payeng has planted a 550-hectare forest known as Molai Forest to combat erosion on the island. Much of the island was once barren sandbars that were vulnerable to erosion, but thanks to Payeng's afforestation efforts, it has become a lush forest. The forest has become a habitat for various animals, including elephants, tigers, deer, and vultures.

Climate Threat

The island faces threats of complete disappearance due to shrinking wetlands and climate extremes.

Economy

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A household in Majuli

Industries

The main industry in Majuli is agriculture, with paddy (unmilled) rice being the main crop. As many as 100 varieties of rice are grown on the island. Among the varieties of rice produced are Komal Saul, which is eaten after immersing the grains in warm water for fifteen minutes and is usually consumed as a breakfast cereal; Bao Dhan, which grows underwater and is harvested after ten months; and bora saul, a sticky brown rice used to make a traditional cake with fish known as pitha. Other important economic activities include fishing, dairying, pottery, handloom, and boat-making.

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Jengraimukh

Handloom weaving is a major occupation among the female population of the villages. Although largely a non-commercial activity, it keeps many of the inhabitants occupied. The weaving utilizes a variety of colors and textures of cotton and silk, especially Muga silk. On 4 November 2017, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal launched 647 schemes with a total financial outlay of ₹246 million to boost Majuli's development.

Education sector

The following higher learning institutions are present:

• Majuli University of Culture
• National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology
• Majuli College Kamalabari
• Jengraimukh College, Jengraimukh
• Ujani Majuli Kherkatia College, Nayabazar, Majuli
• Rangachahi College
• Pub Majuli College, Bongaon
• Garamur College, Garamur

Tourism sector

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A view of Majuli

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Falgu Rath Yatra

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Majuli – A paradise for bird watchers

Mājuli is located 20 km from Jorhat. One can take a bus or a hired taxi to Nimati Steamer Ghat, where ferry services are available. The journey takes over three hours to cover, involving three bus rides and two ferry rides.

The northern bank of Majuli is bordered by the Subansiri River, while the southern bank features the Brahmaputra River, which delineates the island from the mainland. Lakhimpur town is situated to the north, and Golaghat lies to the southwest. Sibsagar is located to the southeast, and Jorhat is positioned to the south. To the extreme east of Majuli is Dibrugarh District.

• The Vaishnava Satras founded by Sankardeva
• The colourful culture of the tribes
• Migratory birds
• The Ali-ai-ligang festival in Feb–March
• Pottery making
• Mask making
• Paal Namm festival in the end of winter
• Folgu Utsav (Holi)
• Madhya Majuli
• Namoni Majuli
• Ujoni Majuli
• Homespun masks crafts
• Porag Utsav
• Handmade Mekhla Chadar

Birdwatching

The southern part of Majuli is recognized as a significant area for birdwatching, attracting avian enthusiasts and researchers alike. The optimal time for visits is between November and March, when the weather conditions are favorable and the opportunities for wildlife observation are enhanced. Birdwatching locales on the island include:

• The southeast of the island
• The southwest of the island
• The northern part
  1. Sakuli Beel, near Kamalabari
  2. Magurmari Beel, Dakhinpaat Satra
  3. Verki Beel, near Kamalabari

Transport sector

Majuli Port features a roll-on/roll-off (RORO) ferry service is operated by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAR) on National Waterway 2 (NW2). The service utilizes two low-draft vessels, each with a capacity of 200 passengers, four cars, and two trucks. Additionally, the foundation stone for a two-lane bridge connecting Majuli (North Bank) and Jorhat (South Bank) was laid on 18 February 2021. This bridge will link Neematighat on the Jorhat side with Kamalabari on the Majuli side.

Photo gallery

• Kamalabari Satra
  Kamalabari Satra
• Dakhinpat Satra
  Dakhinpat Satra
• Pooja at Dakhinpat Satra
  Pooja at Dakhinpat Satra
• From one of the Satras
  From one of the Satras
• Aauniati Satra gate
  Aauniati Satra gate
• Kamalabari Post Office
  Kamalabari Post Office

See also

• Majuli Assembly constituency
• Hindu pilgrimage sites
• National Geological Monuments of India
• List of villages in Majuli
• Tourism in Assam
• Yatra

External links

• Template:Wikivoyage inline
• Template:Usurped maintained by Majuli Island Protection & Development Council (MIPDC)
• MajuliIslands.com An A to Z information website about the river island Majuli