We may lose Majuli forever.

It was indeed so shocking and sad when i was told that my very own Island of dreams is in danger. It is our misfortune that nature itself is being unsympathetic towards its creation. Every year, during Monsoon season, the river Brahmaputra rises up to a high level and Majuli is under water. Floods wipe away soil in a large scale leading to soil erosion. Majuli has reduced to 480 sq km from the original land of 1250 sq km. Large chunks of agricultural land, villages are wiped out every year. this is causing a havoc like situation to the people living there. Not only Nature but Humans also have a vital part to play for Majuli's destruction. The Pottery Industry in Majuli also has used the soil in massive rate. Though it is part of their culture and mode of earning a livelihood, it is indirectly harming this beautiful island. Assam Government is taking steps towards this problem but still has not come up with a satisfactory solution.

pottery industry- a cause for massive soil usage.

Village submerged in flood

Transportation arranged during floods

Lets all pray for Majuli. Let it Survive. My heart aches when i hear threats for this Floating Emerald!!! 

Abode of Nature

"Oh!!! The opportunity to see the flocks of white coloured birds flying in the light blue sky was indeed breathtaking. Soon i was told that those were migratory birds which came every year to Majuli."

Migratory Birds

Mustard Cultivation

Wetland- hot spot for fresh water fishes and birds. 

Majuli is a hub of rich flora and fauna. Every year, mostly during winters Migratory birds like- Pelican, Siberian Crane, Whisteling Teal, Greater Adjutant Stork  are seen here in Majuli. Different fishes like Rohu, Bhangun, Magur are found in the fresh waters of river Brahmaputra. Soil in Majuli is also very fertile resulting in fruitful cultivation of mustard, rice etc. The soil is also used for making pots by the Potter in massive scale. The island is covered with greenery, ranging from ferns to big trees. Majuli is a hotspot for nature lovers and Nature photographers because it provides you the true essence of Mother Nature. 

Majuli's unique culture and the people

The people here are very simple exactly the same as i wanted them to be in my imagination. They seemed to be very calm and untouched by the mechanical lifestyle. Majuli beholds the Mising tribes( from Arunachal Pradesh whose ancestors immigrated here long ago),Assamese and Deori people as its inhabitants. They earn their livelihood on fishing, farming and mostly on pottery. The people here are worshipers of nature.

Fishing Net

Folk Fishing

A Mising Hut

Mising Village

Women at work

Neo-Vaishnavite culture is prominent in Majuli, which was initiated by the saint Srimanta Shankardeva and his disciple Madhavdeva. The teachings of this culture is focused on Lord Krishna. The monastries known as Xatras, established by the saints are still there where people gather to offer prayers. Dakhinpat Xatra and Gorhamurh Xatra are some of the famous monastries here. There are also Prayer halls called Naamghar, where people sing and offer prayers everyday.

Naamghar- the community prayer hall

Raas Leela which is a three day long festival, is the main festival in Majuli. Here the people dress up into different characters depicting the Avatars of Lord Krishna. Hand made masks are worn specially for this occasion. The people dance, sing , act in this festival.

Raas Leela- people performing during the festival

"Goroda"- idol made during the festival

Mask making tradition 

Satria Dance of Uttar Kamalabari Xatra is very famous worldwide. The Satria Dance depicts the life of Lord Krishna, his Avatars as well. The dance is performed in the beats of traditional instruments such as Dhol, Khol, Taal and Bahi.

Satria Dance

Handloom of the tribes here are also remarkable. Pottery is the primary occupation in Majuli where men and women work together.

woman making pots

Hidden Jewel: Location and Physical features

The world's largest river island MAJULI, is a civil sub-division of Jorhat district of Assam, India. MAJULI is located 20km away from Jorhat in Assam. The total isalnd area of Majuli was1250 sq. km but due to massive erosion Majuli is reduced to 650sq.km. Majuli's length from east to west is 90 km and its width stretching from north to south is 16km approximately. Majuli is said to have very fertile soil which results in rich vegetation every  year.

Hidden Jewel

" Far away from the mechanical, fast moving city. Untouched by the exhausts of  man's creation....no worries, no tension. An environment like those of early man's age, serene and green. A place where i always wanted to be when i was down. I would often ask Maa where this place is? She would tell me," God has already created a world like that for you. You will see it very soon" and then  I would be engrossed in my imagination which knew no bounds, i would tell Maa about that place with fresh green leaves, birds singing in nature's tune, water gushing through narrow passages in between rocks, fishermen rowing their boats back home on sunset. Aah!! how wonderful it would be. Maa would smile and cuddle me into her. And now when i truly had the fortune to see that place, i realised that  Maa was right. God had already created that place for me. My visit to this abode of nature brought back all my imaginations into life. I never knew, my hometown Assam itself owns that very place where i always wanted to be...and here i am to share this beautiful experience with you".

Majuli 

I feel myself lucky enough to be so closely associated to The World's Largest River Island- MAJULI which  is still unknown to the world. This Beautiful creation of God is situated in the state of Assam, my hometown in India. Majuli- nestles in the lap of the mighty river Brahmaputra. It has an abundance of rich flora and fauna.This abode of nature beholds the biodiversity including migratory birds, rich forest cover and variety of Animals. Majuli has nurtured the Vaishnavite Culture since ages. The interconnections of Human Beings and Natural Environment can really be seen in this beautiful island. Athough MAJULI  has been chosen by UNESCO as the World Heritage Site, this island is still unknown to the world. This is indeed very sad.

Through my blog i would like to promote and spread an awareness about this " Floating Emerald "- MAJULI to the whole world. This is for the world to know how rich and gifted we are to possess such an Island.