Art of Travel : Majuli – A Place of Peace.

Domestic tourism has become the buzzword after the world has been hardhit by the pandemic. On such majorly frequented destination in Assam has been Majuli. The Island is home to tribal communities including the Misings, the Deoris and the Sonowal Kacharis. It has also been called ‘the cultural capital and the cradle of Assamese civilization’ for the past 500 years. Majuli is also an art and cultural hotspot of Assamese Vaishnavite culture – one of the major traditions of Hinduism. Majuli is fast disappearing because of heavy floods and soil erosion which has reduced the island to one third its original size. It is situated in Northeast India and Best time to visit between October and March. There are so many "satras" in Majuli. Majuli Island Story : It is believed that the island was originally one narrow piece of land between Brahmaputra and Burhidihing rivers. It was also the capital of the Kingdom Chutia. Frequent earthquakes in the 17th century and floods in the 18th century modelled the island into its present form. Majuli is said to be a leading centre of Vaishnavism since ages. neo-Vaishnavite movement. Jorhat is the closest town to Majuli Island in Assam. There is no direct route from Guwahati to Majuli by ship. Jorhat is about 14 kilometres from Nimati Ghat, the ferry point from where we can travel by boat to the Majuli island. A ferry ride from Nimati Ghat is approximately an hour long and most early morning rides tend to be crowded. However, the picturesque sights around the river Brahmaputra and faint lines of white sandy beaches blur out the noise and chaos during the ferry ride. There are several options for accommodation in Majuli. We can stay in one of the ‘Satras’ or monasteries on the island. Other than that there are many guest houses and bamboo cottages in Majuli. Uttar Kamalabari Satra The Uttar Kamalabari Satra, a favourite among many travellers, houses its guests in traditional bamboo huts. The Samoguri Satra has been employing traditions of mask-making from the mid-17th century. The mask-making workshop has vibrant masks of animals and humans dotting the walls of the room. Spend a Day Getting to Know the Local Culture and Lifestyle. The locals in Majuli have a rich and vibrant lifestyle. Spend a day at one of the Missing villages or visit an agricultural farm. Witness the Festivals in Majuli When planning trip to Majuli, try to coincide travel dates with the famous Raas Leela festival that takes place in the third week of November. The much-awaited festival of the island is a celebration of music, theatre and dance. For this festival, thousands of devotees visit the Satra. Another popular festival is Ali aye ligang. It is celebrated during mid-February for 5 days. During the festival, local food and beveraes ar prepared and served. Majuli is unique in ways more than one. So when I got home from my trip to the island, there wasn’t just one memory that lingered in my mind. The majestic Brahmaputra that encapsulates the island, the island’s sandy white beaches, bright blue skies and beaming faces of the children from the island. To me, Majuli is an embodiment of solitude and peace. Even years later, a piece of Majuli still remains with me. Angshuman Goswami Roll no. 25 1st Semester Department of Communication and Journalism; Gauhati University