Majuli: The Largest River Island

Majuli, a cultural hub is a large river island in the Brahmaputra River in Assam. Majuli is the largest river island in India. Majuli had a total area of 1,250 square kilometres (483 sq mi), but having lost significantly to erosion, it now has an area of only 421.65 square kilometers. The island is formed by the Brahmaputra River in the south and joined by the Subansiri River in the north. Majuli, the melting spot of various tribes and communities like Ahoms, Kacharis, Brahmins, Kalitas, Koch Rajbongshi, Bonais, Koibartas, Nepalis, Kumars, Bengalis and Rajasthanis etc has been the cultural capital and the cradle of Assamese civilization for the past five hundred years. The satras set up there, preserve antiques like weapons, utensils, jewellery and other items of cultural significance. Pottery is done in Majuli from beaten clay and burnt in driftwood fired kilns in the same mode as carried out by the people of the ancient Harrappan Civilisation. Sociologists have stressed on the preservation of these unique people, whose culture and dance forms are untouched by modernism. The handloom work of these tribes is also internationally famous. The satras have also honed certain art and craft traditions, which can now be found only here. In Natun Samuguri satra for example, one can still find the craft of mask-making; and in the Kamalabari  satra, the finest boats are made. 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. The various tourist interests are:

Dakhinpat Satra : Banomalidev was the founder of Dakhinpat Satra. Banomalidev was the exponent of Raasleela, which is now observed as one of the major festivals of Assam.

Garmurh Satra: This ‘Satra’ was founded by Lakshmikantadeva. During Autumn traditional Raasleela(co-acting)  is shown with great enthusiasm. Bortop(canon) are preserved here.

Aunioti Satra: Niranjan Pathakdeva, the founder of this Satra. The Satra is famous for ‘Palnaam’-combination of songs and dance through which mythological stories are expressed, Apsara Dance a form of performed only by girls is also one of the  main attraction of the Monastery. This also have a collection of Assamese old utensils, jewellery and handicrafts.

Kamalabari Satra: Kamalabari Satra founded by Bedulapadma Ata, is a centre of art, culture, literature and classical studies. It is one of the premiere Satras of Majuli. It’s branch Uttar Kamalabari Satra has performs cultural programme of Satria art in several states of India and aboard.

Bengenaati Satra: It is a store house of antiques of cultural importance and an advance centre of performing art. Muraridev the grandson of saint Sankardev’s step mother has founded the satra. The royal robes belong to the Ahom king Swargadeo Godadhar Singha, made of gold and an umbrella which is also made of gold are preserved area.

Shamaguri Satra: The satra is resourced with famous mask crafts in India.

Manas National Park: Tiger project-The UNESCO world heritage site

Situated about 157 km distance from Guwahati along the foothills of Eastern Himalayas Manas National Park, is the first Reserve Forest of India declared during pre-independent era in the year 1927. Currently it is situated in Baksa district of BTC area. The Manas National Park covers an area of 51 9sq km with a core area of 360 km. River Manas passing Manas National Park irrigate the area and thereby offering magical natural scene with exotic flora and fauna which includes some rare and endangered species. Manas were declared as World Heritage Site in the year          1985   by United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization. Earlier Manas was having an area of 2837 sqkm and is one of the important Tiger Reserve Project of the country. The Project Tiger area is also a Biosphere Reserve by the same name, Ripu-Chirang Elephant Reserve and Monitoring of Illegally Killed Elephant site. Manas altogether has seven recognitions. The vegetation of Manas is marked by highland savanna, moist deciduous and tropical semi evergreen trees. It is a place famous for the golden langur, pigmy hog, hispid hare, wild buffalo, leopard etc. According to latest census there are 65 Tigers, 657 Elephants 200 wild Asiatic Water Buffalo in Manas National Park. Apart from that there are occasional dwellers i.e. migratory birds like river chats, fork tails, cormorants etc are often spotted here. It is the last home of endangered species of world smallest Wild Pig Pygmy Hog. On top of the diverse wildlife, Manas also contains Mathanguri-a unique picnic spot at the bank of the Manas River that provides rafting and angling facilities to tourists. Tourist also enjoys the culture of the rural people of the southern Manas Park in the same visit.

Tezpur: (The city of Eternal Romance)

Tezpur is a beautiful town on the North bank of the mighty river Brahmaputra of Assam. It is in viewing distance of the foothills of the magnificent Eastern Himalaya Range. Tezpur has an ancient history and the remnants of civilizations of the yester years, when it was known as Sonitpur.  The very name Tezpur literally translates to “City of Blood”. It is the formation of Sonit and Pur (SONIT means Tez- blood PUR means city). The city of Blood’ reminds one of the eternal romances of Usha and Aniruddha. The Mahabhairab Mandir, the holy place in Tezpur, where king Bana worshipped Mahabhairab, another incarnation of Shiva.

Tezpur can be described as the cultural capital of Assam. Every landscape of Tezpur reflects its rich cultural heritage since time immemorial. Tezpur was a cradle to three doyens of Assamese Culture: Rupkonwar Jyotiprasad Agarwala, Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha, and Natasurya Phani Sarma.

Sonitpur, like the rest of the nation, witnessed the amalgamation of different cultures of different peoples at different times. Along with the natural evolution of the indigenous Assamese culture, several cultural traits of different subsequent groups which were assimilated in it added to its lustre and bounty. The other places to visit in Tezpur are Dah-Parbtia, Agnigarh, Nameri National Park, Mahabhairv Temple, The Hazara Pukhuri, Chitralekha Park, Bhomoraguri Bridge, Bamuni Hills etc.