Majuli Assam – The World’s Largest River Island (INR 1500 – 2 day trip)

houses at majuli river island assam

Although not so popular, Majuli Assam-“The World’s Largest River Island” came into my knowledge when I was reading about top tourist destinations in North East India. Majuli has recently been declared as the largest river island in the world by Guinness World Record. So I  decided to have a visit to Majuli river island Assam on my journey to North East India and Bhutan.

Nestled between the mighty Brahmaputra River’s ever-shifting sand banks from the south and the Kherkutia Xuti, an anabranch of the Brahmaputra, joined by the Subansiri River in the north, Majuli Island had a total area of 1,250 sq.km. It has now shrunk to 352 sq.km. due to several earthquakes, changes in the course of the rivers and severe erosion. In June 2016, Assam Government officially declared the island a district making it India’s first island district.

Bamboo houses at majuli river island assam

Bamboo Houses at Majuli Assam

How to reach Majuli river Island Assam

The cheapest and best way to reach Majuli is to take a train from Guwahati to Jorhat Town (Overnight journey). A shared auto from Jorhat Town to Neamati Ghat and then a ferry till Kamalabari Ghat. There is regular government operated ferry services which take around 2 hours. The first ferry from Neamati Ghat is at 8:30 am and the last one at 4 pm. Once you reach Kamalabari Ghat, you will get a shared auto to reach Majuli which is a few kilometers away. Visit IRCTC for train bookings.

Note: For returning the last ferry from Kamalabari Ghat to Neamati Ghat is at 3 pm.

The closest airport to reach the Majuli lies at Jorhat.

How to reach Majuli river island assam

Best time to visit Majuli Assam

Best time to visit Majuli is between October-March. During this month’s various dance events, music performance and dramas are organized. It will be perfect if you visit Majuli at the time of Krishna Janmashtami and Raas Leela. The Ali-ai-ligang festival is held between Feb-March and Paal Namm festival in the end of winter.

Stay Options at Majuli Assam

You can stay at Prashanti Eco-tourism Resort which is recently developed by Assam tourism or government circuit house. But to make your stay quite unique, the entire island offers private stilt cottages that offer home stays to visitors. I would recommend you to stay at ”La Mansion de Ananda” – Danny’s Hut. It is a Mishing Tribe styled bamboo hut built by 2 French architects located in Garmaour area. It’s a budget price cottage with delicious home cooked food available.

Prashanti Eco tourism Resort majuli river island assam

Prashanti Eco-tourism Resort Majuli river island Assam

The journey to this beautiful island starts with a ferry from Neamati Ghat. Going boating in the majestic Brahmaputra is probably one of the best experiences one can have. The ferry takes around 2 hours to reach Kamalabari Ghat and to witness the glorious views of mighty Brahmaputra. I would suggest to be at upper deck rather than sitting inside. Here, people stand with their cars, bikes, cattle etc. that are also being ferried along. On reaching you will get shared taxis to reach Majuli which is another half hour away.

Bhrahamaputra river majuli river island assam

 Ferry to reach Majuli River Island Assam

On the way to Majuli, you can feel the peacefulness of the surroundings; the fragrance of the village clay, series of unique stilt houses and locals can be seen cycling on narrow paths. That’s what I wished to see for so long.

Keeping in view that I had just a single day to explore the beauty of Majuli, I started exploring nearby areas as soon as I reached. Island can be explored on foot or you can rent a bicycle. Seeing me clicking pictures of the surroundings, few local kids came. They asked to click their pictures from the big camera “Ha Ha the DSLR ” that I was hanging on my neck. Soon they became friendly and accompanied me to show their entire village.

women working at majuli river island assam

Majuli Assam

my new friends at Majuli river island assam

My new friends at Majuli Assam

More and more of their friends joined and at one time it was about 15 kids around me. Their love and affection towards me cannot be described in words. It was one of the most amazing days of my life. Assamese people don’t lag behind in generosity and it comes naturally.

lovely kids majuli  assam  They kept increasing in no’s

Almost all homes in Majuli are made from bamboo. They are held on concrete pillars at the height of about two to three feet from the ground to prevent water from seeping inside. During the monsoon, most parts of the village get submerged into the water with water level as high as 3-4 feet. Therefore people use their self-made bamboo ferries to commute to their homes.

home at majuli assam

Transport means to reach house

The island houses several villages that are mainly inhabited by the Mishing tribe, the Deoris and the Ahoms, Mishing being the largest in population. They are very helpful people and love inviting visitors to their home and offer apong or rice beer.

fishing time majuli assam

Fishing time at Majuli Assam

Majuli is not only famous for its beautiful landscape but also for cultural celebration. Every year Majuli notices a lot of tourists just to experience the festivals like Raas Mahotsav, Paal Namm, and Ali-ai-ligang. Majuli is also famous for its mask making and pottery.

transportation at lush green Majuli Assam

Villagers at Majuli Assam

You can also get a glimpse of the Neo-Vaishnavate culture that still exists here in the Satras and there are 22 of those. Garamurh Satra, Kamalabari Satra, Dakhinpat Satra, Auniati Satra, etc. just to name a few are the prominent satras of this beautiful island. The best place for cultural programs is Kamalabari Satra.

cute kid majuli river island assam

Cute kid at Majuli Assam

Being a wetland, Majuli is a biodiversity hot spot for flora and fauna, sheltering many rare and endangered species of birds. The island is a birdwatcher’s paradise with storks, pelican, and cranes being spotted here.

kids at  Majuli Assam

Kids of Majuli Assam

Due to inaccessible conditions that prevail here, commercialization has hardly made any impact. It makes you feel that you’re still living in the old era of 70’s or 80’s. The island in itself is a complete world – full of space and freedom – completely detached from the outside world and standing alone, without any influence of urban sprawl. Just the kind of magic a seasoned traveler would give away a few years of his life to behold and experience, at least once. 

Onacheaptrip at Majuli

 Cycling is so much fun here at Majuli Assam

As the climatic conditions are changing drastically, it is very much possible that the whole of Majuli Island could become nothing but just plain water. So I would recommend you to visit it as early as possible before it completely disappears. In a life where everyone is on their feet and is in a race of earning money, Majuli comes across as a reminder to stop, breathe and live. Life is a bit tough in Majuli but people of Majuli are full of life. They will help you in reminding that no matter how tough are the circumstances when there is a will there is a way.

lush green Majuli Assam

Beautiful Majuli Village

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Are you looking for some essential travel gear? Check out my post on What’s in my Backpack.

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16 thoughts on “Majuli Assam – The World’s Largest River Island (INR 1500 – 2 day trip)

  1. Firstly many thanks to let the world know about Majuli, that too without any tamper. I loved the way you have written about the largest river island also raised concern about the its future. Being from the same land, I am feeling very proud today. Keep it up!

  2. You have the art of capturing the true essence of a place with your amazing photography. I am glad that you let the world peep into your world through this blog.
    Majuli, so pure and untouched!
    Keep writing 🙂

  3. Very serene and pristine place… without seeing it I loved it., thanks for sharing the blog.
    I wonder what is the population and if Whatsapp works there?

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