Majuli or Majoli is a river island in the Brahmaputra river, in the Indian state of Assam. It is the second largest island in a freshwater body after Ilha de Marajo in the Amazon. Majoli is often erroneously mentioned as the largest river island in the world by the Indian media, the island however is the largest freshwater island in Asia. Majuli occupies an area of about 880 km². Here as some of the rivers in India: Beas Brahmaputra Dahisar Damodar Ganga Ghaggar River Godavari Gomti Indus Jhelum Kaveri Koyna Krishna Mandovi Mhanadi Mithi Narmada Oshwiwara Ravi Sabarmati Sutlej Tapti Ulhas Vashishti Yamuna Zuari See also List of rivers of Asia Bharathapuzha Categories: Lists of rivers ... The Brahmaputra is one of the major rivers of Asia. ... India is subdivided into 28 states, 6 union territories and a National Capital Territory. ... Assam (অসম) is a northeastern state of India with its capital at Dispur. ... This article explains the meaning of area as a physical quantity. ... For the Second World War frigate class, see River class frigate The Murray River in Australia A river is a large natural waterway. ... The Brahmaputra is one of the major rivers of Asia. ... Assam (অসম) is a northeastern state of India with its capital at Dispur. ... The Beach of the Pesqueiro Marajó is an inhabited island, located at the mouth of the Amazon River in Brazil. ... Length 6,296 km Elevation of the source 5,597 m Average discharge 219,000 m³/s Area watershed 6,915,000 km² Origin  Nevado Mismi Mouth  Atlantic Ocean Basin countries Brazil (62. ... World map showing location of Asia Asia is the central and eastern part of Eurasia, defined by subtracting Europe from Eurasia. ...

The isle is about 200 kilometres east from the state's largest city — Guwahati, and is accessible by ferries from the town of Jorhat. The island was formed with change of course of the river Brahmaputra and its tributaries, mainly the Lohit. Majoli is also the abode of the Assamese neo-Vaisnavite culture. A kilometre (American spelling: kilometer, symbol: km) is a unit of length equal to 1000 metres (from the Greek words khilia = thousand and metro = count/measure). ... India is subdivided into 28 states, 6 union territories and a National Capital Territory. ... Guwahati is a city in India, often considered to be the gateway to the north-east part of the country. ... Jorhat is an administrative district in the state of Assam in India. ... Lohit is an administrative district in the state of Arunachal Pradesh in India. ... Assamese (অসমীয়া) or Asamiya is the language spoken by some of the natives of the state of Assam in northeast India. ...

History

Although the origins of Majuli remain hazy, Krishna, the famous Hindu god is supposed to have played here with his friends. While this is speculative, the locals speak in the Assamese language. However, what is certain is Majuli was the cultural capital of Assamese civilisation since the 16th century; based on written records describing the visit of Shankardeva — a 16th century social reformer. Shankardeva preached a form of Hinduism called as Vaishnavism and established monasteries and hermitages known as satras on the islet. Lord Krishna Krishna (कृष्ण, Sanskrit for black), born to Devaki and Vasudeva, raised by Yashoda and Nanda, played a unique & crucial role in the Mahabharata war, and is regarded as the eighth avatar of Vishnu. ... A Hindu is an adherent of Hinduism, the predominant religious, philosophical and cultural system of Bharat (India). ... (15th century - 16th century - 17th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 16th century was that century which lasted from 1501 to 1600. ... Hinduism (सनातन धर्म; also known as Sanātana Dharma, and Vaidika-Dharma) is a worldwide religious tradition that is based on the bed-rock of the Vedas. ... Vaishnavism is the branch of Hinduism in which Vishnu or one of his avatars is worshipped as the supreme God and is a monotheistic faith. ...

The island soon became the leading centre of Vaishavinism with the establishment of these satras. After the arrival of the British, the island was under the rule of the British till India gained independence in 1947. The Indian independence movement was a series of steps taken in the Indian subcontinent for independence from British colonial rule, beginning with the Rebellion of 1857. ... 1947 was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ...

Economy

The main industry is agriculture, with paddy being the chief crop. Majuli has a rich and diverse agricultural tradition, with as many as a hundred different varieties of rice grown, all grown without pesticides or artificial fertilisers. Among the fascinating arrays of rice produced are the koomol saool, a unique type of rice that can be eaten just after immersing the grains in warm water for fifteen minutes, and usually eaten as a breakfast cereal; the bao dhan, that grows under water, and is harvested after ten months and the bora, a sticky brown rice used to make the traditional cake known as peetha,. Fishing, dairying, pottery, handloom and boat-making are other important economic activities. Paddy is a slang term in British English for an Irish person. ... Species References ITIS 41975 2002-09-22 Rice (genus Oryza) is a plant of the grass family which is a dietary staple of more than half of the worlds human population. ... the plane is spreading pesticide. ... Fertilizers are chemicals given to plants with the intention of promoting growth; they are usually applied either via the soil or by foliar spraying. ... Fishing is the activity of hunting for fish. ... Dairy farming is a class of agricultural enterprise, raising female cattle for long-term production of milk, which may be either processed on-site or transported to a dairy for processing and eventual retail sale. ... A man shapes pottery as it turns on a wheel. ...

Handloom is a major occupation among the distaff population of the villages. Although largely a non-commercial occupation, it keeps many of the inhabitants occupied. Weaving is exquisite and intricate with the use of a variety of colours and textures of cotton and silk. Cotton is a soft fibre that grows around the seeds of the cotton plant, a shrub native to the tropical and subtropical regions of both the Old World and the New World. ... Silk weaver Silk is a natural protein fiber that can be woven into textiles. ...

People

The dwellers of Majuli are mostly tribal folk. These tribal are the mishing tribes from Arunachal Pradesh and who immigrated here centuries ago. Apart from them, the inhabitants are also from the Deori and Sonowal Kacharis tribes. Languages spoken here are Assamese, Mishing, Deori. The island has twenty-three villages with a population of 150,000 and a density of 300 individuals per square km. The only mode of association to the outside world is through a ferry service which operates only twice a day. Despite inherent drawbacks faced, modernism has touched this island, with the setting up of power, medical centres and educational institutions. Housing too, has segued from traditional bamboo and mud construction to ones made of concrete. Arunachal Pradesh (अरुणाचल प्रदेश) is an Indian state. ... Assamese (অসমীয়া) or Asamiya is the language spoken by some of the natives of the state of Assam in northeast India. ...

The heart of all villages is the namghar, where villagers episodically gather to sing and pray. It is usually the temple of the village. After the rituals are complete, members decide on issues concerning the village such as auctioning of fishing rights, what to do with money raised, and other topics of significance to the community.

The inhabitants are expert navigators by boat; their expertise is most visible during the monsoon season when they navigate the turbulent waters of the Brahmaputra. Extremism is also a major concern in the region. The insurgent group the ULFA, has a wide network in the region and was responsible for the execution of social worker Sanjoy Ghosh who was trying to uplift the people of the island.

Culture

Majuli has been the cultural capital and the cradle of Assamese civilization for the past five hundred years. The satras set up preserve antiques like weapons, utensils, jewellery and other items of cultural significance. Pottery is made in Majuli from beaten clay and burnt in driftwood fired kilns in the same mode carried out by the peoples of the ancient Harrappan Civilisation. Sociologists have stressed on the preservation of these unique peoples, whose culture and dance forms are untouched by modernism. The handloom work of these tribes is also internationally famous. The Indus Valley Civilization existed along the Indus River and the Vedic Sarasvati River in present-day Pakistan. ...

Virtually every single person on the island is involved in the three-day long ras festival, depicting the life of Krishna. People from thousands of kilometres way come to celebrate this festival including a number of expatriate members of the community. The satras have also honed certain art and craft traditions, which can now be found only here. In Natun Samugri satra for example, one can still find the craft of mask-making; and in the Kamlabari satra the finest boats are made.

Neo-Vaishnavite satras

The island has been the hub of Assamese neo-Vaishnavite culture, initiated around 15th century by the revered Assamese saint Srimanta Sankaradeva and his disciple Madhabdeva. Many satras or monasteries constructed by the saint still survive and represent the colourful Assamese culture. The saint took refuge in Majuli and spent a couple of months at Beloguri in West Majuli, which was a place of grandeur for the historic and auspicious, 'Manikanchan Sanjog' between Shankardeva and Madhavdeva, this was the first satra in Majuli. After the "Manikanchan Sanjog", sixty five satras were set up. However, today only twenty-two of the original sixty-five still survive. Sixty-five out of the six hundred and sixty-five original satras in Assam were situated in Majuli. Vaishnavites are followers of Vaishnavism in which Vishnu or His avatars are worshipped as the supreme God. ... (14th century - 15th century - 16th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 15th century was that century which lasted from 1401 to 1500. ...

The main surviving satras are:

• Dakhinpat Satra : Founded by Banamalidev, an supporter of Raasleela, which is now observed as one of the National Festivals of Assam.
• Garamurh Satra : This "Satra" was founded by Lakshmikantadeva. During the end of autumn, the traditional the Raasleela is enacted with pomp and celebrations. Ancient weapons called "Bartop" or cannonss are preserved here.
• Auniati Satra: Founded by Niranjan Pathakdeva, the satra is famous for the "Paalnaam" and Apsara Dances and also its extensive assortment of ancient Assamese artefacts, utensils, jewellery and handicrafts. It also has a hundred and twenty five disciples and over seven hundred thousand followers worldwide.
• Kamalabari Satra: The Kamalabari Satra, founded by Bedulapadma Ata, is a centre of art, cultural, literature and classical studies on the island. Its branch the Uttar Kamalabari Satra has performed cultural programmes of the Satria Art all around the country and abroad.
• Benegenaati Satra: It is a reliquary of antiques of cultural importance and an advance centre of performing art. Muraridev, the grandson of Sankaradeva's step-mother was the founder of the Satra. The royal raiment belongs to the Ahom king Swargadeo Godadhar Singha, is made of gold. Also preserved is the royal umbrella made in gold.
• Shamaguri Satra: The satra is famous for the masks making in India.

These satras are also the treasure house of "Bongeet" Matiakhara, Jumora Dance, Chali Dance, Notua Dance, Nande Vringee, Sutradhar, Ozapali, Apsara Dance, Satria Krishna Dance and Dasavater Dance, all promulgated by Shankardeva. Autumn (fall in North America) is one of the four temperate seasons, the transition between summer and winter. ... For other uses, see Cannon (disambiguation). ... Jewellery (spelled jewelry in American English) consists of ornamental devices worn by persons, typically made with gems and precious metals. ... Handicraft, also known as craftwork or simply craft, is a type of work where useful and decorative devices are made completely by hand or using only simple tools. ...

Ecosystem

A wetland, Majuli is a hotspot for flora and fauna, harbouring many rare and endangered avifauna species including migratory birds that arrive in the winter season. Among the birds seen here are: the Greater Adjutant Stork, Pelican, Siberian Crane and the Whistling Teal. After dark wild geese and ducks fly in flocks to distant destinations. The island is almost pollution free owing to the lack of polluting industries and factories and also the chronic rainfall. A subtropical wetland in Florida, USA, with an endangered American Crocodile. ... Species Pelecanus occidentalis Pelecanus thagus Pelecanus erythrorhynchos Pelecanus onocrotalus Pelecanus crispus Pelecanus rufescens Pelecanus philippensis Pelecanus conspicillatus A pelican is any of several very large water birds with a distinctive pouch under the beak belonging to the bird family Pelecanidae. ... Binomial name Grus leucogeranus Pallas, 1773 The Siberian Crane, Grus leucogeranus, also known as the Siberian White Crane or the Snow Crane, is a bird of the family Gruidae, the cranes. ... Other uses: Goose (disambiguation) Genera Anser Branta Chen Cereopsis † see also: Swan, Duck Anatidae Goose (plural geese) is the general English name for a considerable number of birds, belonging to the family Anatidae. ... The word duck was also used as slang for the WWII amphibious vehicle called a DUKW. It is also a cricketing term denoting a batsman being dismissed with a score of zero; see golden duck. ... Pollution = Los Angeles ...

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. According to reports, in 1853, the total area of Majuli was 1,150 sq km and about 33 % of this landmass has been eroded in the latter half of 20th century. Since 1991, over 35 villages have been washed away. Surveys show that in 15-20 years from now, Majuli would cease to exist. Severe soil erosion in a wheat field near Washington State University, USA. Erosion is the displacement of solids (soil, mud, rock, and so forth) by the agents of wind, water, ice, or movement in response to gravity. ... Monsoon in the Vindhya, a mountain chain in central India A monsoon is a periodic wind, especially in the Indian Ocean and southern Asia. ... 1853 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901–2000 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar (1900–1999 in the... 1991 is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

To save the island, the Union Government of India has sanctioned Rs 250 crores (US $ 55 million) for the protection of the isle. A petition has been sent to the UNESCO for the declaration of Majuli to be a world natural site and furthermore it a world heritage site. A crore is a unit in a traditional number system, still widely used in India and Bangladesh. ... UNESCO logo The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, commonly known as UNESCO, is a specialized agency of the United Nations system established in 1946. ...

Tourist interests

Majuli is situated at a distance of 20 km from Jorhat. One can take the bus or a hired taxi to the Nimati Steamer Ghat from where ferry services ply. The distance takes over three hours to cover, with three bus rides and two ferry rides.

On the north-bank is the river Subansiri and on the South bank, the river Brahmaputra has excided the island from the main land. Lakhimpur town is to the North and Golaghat is to its southwest. The town of Sibsagar is on the southeast and Jorhat is to the south. On the extreme east is Dibrugarh District.

• The Vaishnava Satras founded by Sankardeva
• The colourful culture of the tribes
• Migratory birds
• The Ali-ao-lvignag festival in Feb-March
• Pottery making
• Mask making
• Paal Namm festival in the end of winter
• The sunset in winter
• Exotic homespun masks crafts

External links

• History and culture of Majuli
• Life in Majuli
• Majuli factoids
• Culture of Majuli
• Satras of Majuli
• Majuli travel information