Mjuli or Majuli (mazuli) is a river island in Assam’s Brahmaputra River that was designated as India’s first district in 2016. It formerly covered 880 square kilometres (340 square miles) before the turn of the twentieth century, but erosion has reduced it to 553 square kilometres (214 square miles) as of 2014. Majuli has diminished in size as the river that surrounds it has expanded in size.
Facts about Majuli
The island was a long, thin strip of land known as Majoli (land in the midst of two parallel rivers), with the Brahmaputra running north and the Burhidihing flowing south till they met at Lakhu. Ratnapur was the capital of the mighty Chutia kingdom and was originally known as Ratnapur. Frequent earthquakes between 1661 and 1696 paved the way for a devastating flood in 1750 that lasted 15 days and is documented in historical sources and tradition. Part of the Brahmaputra spilled southward into what was the Burhidihing’s lower channel as a result of the flood, forming Mjuli island.
Nearby locations –
- Molai forest reserve
- Dakhinpat Satra, Majuli
- Nimati Ghat Road
- Kamalabari Satra
- Tengapania
Details about stay: Hotels, tents available
Best time to visit: April to May
How to reach:
- Nearest Airport – Jorhat
- Nearest Railway Station – Jorhat
