Do you crave to visit a place where you get sheer tranquillity and isolation from the madding crowd of cities? If yes then you will surely fall in love with Majuli. Majuli is a beautiful river island on the Brahmaputra River in Assam. It might surprise you but Majuli is the second largest freshwater river island in the world and the largest in Asia. The island once was spanning an area of around 1500 sq km. But over the years the Brahmaputra waters have eroded about one-third of the island. Majuli is now around 352 sq km. But the shrink in its size is nothing in front of the sublime beauty of Majuli. In fact, a trip to Majuli Island will allow you to experience an ethereal ride to the other side of the mighty Brahmaputra.
How To Reach Majuli Island?
Travelling to Majuli is an adventure in itself. Majuli is also quite easy to reach. First start by travelling to Jorhat which is well connected to Guwahati by flight, train, and road. From Jorhat, you can hire a taxi to Nimatighat. Once you reach there, the exciting part starts. Your journey from Nimati will require you to embark upon a ferry to cross the Brahmaputra River and reach Majuli Island. The ferry ride is incredible with all the wind blowing and hair flipping. You will totally get a romantic Bollywood movie feel while you continue to sail over the river. The first ferry departs from Nimatighat at 8:30 am while the last one leaves at 4:00 pm. So plan your trip accordingly.
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Where To Stay In Majuli?
Majuli is home to a number of homestays and hotels. So you have quite a few options to choose from. From my experience, I will recommend Ayang Okum River Bank Bamboo Cottage. The cottages are very pocket-friendly and offer you an amazing stay. It overlooks the river Luit. They provide benches on the banks where you can sit and relax. Ayang Okum also allows you to cycle around in the nearby villages. Just book a cycle and explore around. The food is authentic Assamese cuisine and will leave you asking for more. You will also get your mode of transport arranged by them if you wish to visit the Satras.
What To So In Majuli?
Explore the Shri Shri Dakhinpat Satra
The Shri Shri Dakhinpat Satra dates back to 1584. Numerous devotees from all over the world visit this famous Satra. It’s hands down one of the best places in Assam for the divine seekers. The Satra features a gateway engraved with religious animals, motifs, and flowers that depict the rich culture of Assam. The journey to the Satra will let you witness countryside roads, lush greenery, and fresh air. Water hyacinths and wooden boats floating on lakes are nature’s magic at its best.
Slow walk in the Mishing village and the Sunset point
The island is home to quite a few quaint villages. And they help you strengthen your bond with mother nature. These hamlets are better explored by walking slowly. One of the popular villages is Mishing Village. The Chang ghars on the banks of the river is a major attraction of the Mishings. So make sure you don’t skip this one. Also, what’s better than witnessing the mighty Brahmaputra hug the golden ball right? Sunsets in Majuli are to die for. The sunset point here is a must-visit. With the sun setting and locals rowing boats towards their homes, you will experience nature at its best here.
Visit the Samaguri Satra
Samaguri Satra awaits you with exciting experiences. You must have definitely heard of the famous masks of Majuli. They are a symbol of the age-old customs of the Assamese people. Samaguri Satra is a dwelling place of mask makers with exemplary skills. The masks are made using bamboo base and dried cow dung among other things. You will also get to explore the BHAWNAS here. These are dramas that are acted out using the masks. Each mask depicts a specific character. This exquisite craftsmanship and learning the skill of mask-making is one of the major tourist attractions in Majuli.
Travel tip: The best time to visit Majuli Island is October to March. This is when the RAAS takes place. If you have an interest in learning different traditions, exploring Majuli can be your perfect chance at that. So next time you visit Assam, do not forget to explore the fascinating beauty of India’s largest River Island.
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