Majuli is the largest freshwater island in South East Asia. It is located in Assam amidst the enraged Bhramaputra River. It is a beautiful wetland and therefore, it is home to some of the most amazing flora and fauna in the continent. Assam is a beautiful state but the island of Majuli is its major attraction with all its serenity and richness of culture, and mesmerizing beauty. Nature has endowed Majuli with a grace of its own.The island is under threat due to the extensive soil erosion on its banks. The reason for this magnitude in erosion is the large embankments built in neighbouring towns upriver to prevent erosion there during the monsoon season when the river distends its banks. The upshot is a backlash of the tempestuous Brahmaputra's fury on the islet, eroding most of the area. NGO's are doing their best to create mass awareness about the perilous future of this unique Island and its shrinking shoreline due to rapid erosion They are also trying their best to preserve the illustrious authenticity of its cultural and spiritual heritage by various means.

	Satra at Majuli
	Image By Wikipedia User Peter Andersen Used under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike License

Originally, the island of Majuli was a narrow and long piece of land called Majoli (meaning land in the middle of two parallel rivers). The river Brahmaputra flows in the north and the River Burhidihing in the south. In the 16th century, there were frequent floods and earthquakes which gave Majuli the present shape. These disasters are often recited in the local folklore. Like the rest of Assam, Majuli also boasts of a rich culture of its own. Majuli is also the hub of the Assamese neo-Vaisnavite culture.

The maximum temperature here is around 30 Degrees C and the minimum drops to 10 Degrees C. The best time to be here is between October and March.

The Indian Rupee (INR) is the acceptable form of currency here. Money changing facility is available at Guwahati. Banking facilities are available in Guwahati, Jorhat and Majuli.

A tourist visa applicable for the entire country (India) is sufficient.

By Air: The nearest international airport is Guwahati [300 kms approx.]. For domestic travelers, Jorhat [20 kms] is the nearest airport. There are daily flights to Jorhat from Guwahati, and four flights a week from Kolkata.

By Road: Jorhat is connected by road to Guwahati. ASTC and private-run buses leave early in the morning and in the evening. From Jorhat it is only 14 km to Neamati Ghat. You can take a bus , auto or a taxi.

By Train:  Jorhat is the nearest railway station. The major trains halt at Guwahati and from there, local trains connect to Jorhat.

By Ferry:  Since Majuli is an island the only way to get there is by ferry. The three main routes to reach Majuli are Jorhat Nimatighat from Jorhat, Dhokuakhana from Dhemaji and Luit-Khabolughat from North Lakhimpur. There are regular government ferry services to Majuli every morning and afternoon from Neamati Ghat. Private motorized boats are also available. Most of the Ferries or Machine boats do not maintain a general schedule time. The boatsplyi as per availability of the passengers.

• 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
• The sunset in winter
• Exotic homespun masks crafts

·        Sibsagar: This town is to the east of Majuli. It is a place of picture postcard beauty that is well etched in its temples, lakes and mountains. It used to be the  capital of the ancient Ahom kingdom, after which Jorhat was made the capital.

·        Jorhat: Jorhat is a centre of rich culture, education and tradition in Assam. It is flanked by beautiful mountains and you can see Nature in all its glory in Jorhat. It serves as a connecting point for Majuli and the rest of the state.

·        Dibrugarh: It is called the “Tea City of India”, and is located on the banks of the River Brahmaputra, in the Upper Districts of Assam, India. The vast tea estates flanked by smoky mountains provide an sense of peace and mysticism to this place.

You can find some of the most exquisite and rich handicrafts here on wood and on textiles, masks, handicrafts, scarves, shawls, colorful statues and pots. Do your bit to save this island : Buy fabrics spun and woven in Majuli - this will directly increase incomes on the island.

Options for stay are limited and efforts are being made to improve the infrastructure. There are very few hotels but you can find guest rooms in the satras here. Check in advance for availability. Government accommodation includes an Inspection Bungalow and Circuit House.

One can enjoy seafood and rice in Majuli at the state owned guesthouses and local food joints.There are no luxury hotels in Majuli.

Majuli is, without any doubt, one of the most beautiful places in India. It is a place that has not yet been explored fully by the tourists and this is what makes it very attractive as the place is not very crowded. Due to the rapid soil erosion, the island’s size has reduced considerably from 900 sq. mts to 800 sq mts in about three decades. The island is almost pollution free owing to the lack of polluting industries and factories.