Majuli is the largest river island in the world, sat in the immense Brahmaputra and covering some 650 sq km. Some 90km in length and 16 km wide Majuli is a wonderful natural and cultural heritage site. Unpolluted and remote Majuli attracts much birdlife, both local and migratory.

The people of Majuli are mostly tribal made up of the Mishing migrating from other parts of Arunachal Pradesh and who arrived centuries ago, and the Deori and Sonowal Kacharis tribes. Languages include Assamese, Mishing and Deori. There are some twenty three villages whose only contact with the outside world is by a twice-a-day ferry service.

The heart of all Majuli villages is the "namghar", usually the temple of the village and place where villagers gather to sing and pray. Majulis are as one would expect, expert boatmen able to navigate the turbulent waters of the Brahmaputra.

Many say that Majuli has been the cultural capital of Assam for the past five hundred years. The satras (socio-religious institutions in the Assam region) preserve antiques such as weapons, household utensils, jewellery and other items of cultural significance. Pottery is made in Majuli from beaten clay and burnt in driftwood-fired kilns. The handloom work of the Majuli tribes is also internationally famous.

As a result of satra work there are other art and craft traditions which can now only be found here. mask-making in Natun Samugri satra for example and in the Kamlabari satra the fine boats are made. 

With links to the Krishna legends a visit to Majuli during the Ras Purnima festival in the month of Kartik (October/November) is an experience. Almost every single person on the island is involved in the three-day long Ras festival, depicting the life of Krishna.