Majuli, formerly the world’s biggest river island in the Brahmaputra River of Assam become the first island to be made a district in India in September 2016. The island is surrounded by the Brahmaputra River in the south and the Kherkatia Xuti, an anabranch of the Brahmaputra, joined by the Suwansiri River in the north. Majuli has a distinctive heritage and has been the adobe of Assamese Vaishnavite culture and some other ethnic cultures (largely the Mishing community and its’ culture) with tremendous options for spiritual and Eco-tourism.
Majuli has been the cultural capital of Assamese civilisation since the 16th century and abode of the Assamese neo-Vaishnavite culture. Sankardeva, a pioneer of the medieval-age neo-Vaishnavite movement, preached a monotheist form of Hinduism called Vaishnavism and established monasteries and hermitages known as satra on the islet. Many Satras or monasteries constructed by the saint still survive and represent the colourful Assamese culture. Sixty-five out of the six hundred and sixty-five original satras in Assam were situated in Majuli. These Satras are famous for Raasleela, Paalnaam, Borgeet, Satriya Nritya, Apsara Dances and also its extensive assortment of ancient Assamese artefacts, Sashi-patiya Puthi (menuscripts on Sashi leaf), Mask (made up bamboo, clay cow-dang and natural colour) , ancient architect, many more. The tradition of mask making in Natun Chamaguri Sattra has become famous and has also been able to achieve a new identity in Assam as well as in various part of the country and abroad.