This is the World’s Largest River Island and You Must See Before It’s Gone

World’s Largest River Island

In the heart of Assam’s mighty Brahmaputra River lies Majuli, the world’s largest inhabited river island. Spread over roughly 880 square kilometres, Majuli is not just a geographical wonder but also a living museum of Assamese culture and traditions.

The island is home to numerous satras (Vaishnavite monasteries) established by the 15th-century saint Srimanta Sankardev, which continue to preserve classical dance, music, and art forms. Villages here are dotted with bamboo houses, handloom weaving centres, and warm hospitality that reflects the island’s slow-paced charm.

Nature lovers will find Majuli equally captivating. During winter, the island becomes a birdwatcher’s paradise with migratory species like pelicans, storks, and Siberian cranes. The lush green landscapes, rice fields, and wetlands make it an ideal escape from crowded tourist trails.

However, Majuli faces a grim reality. The island is shrinking due to severe riverbank erosion caused by monsoon floods. Once spread across more than 1,200 square kilometres, Majuli has lost a significant portion of its landmass in recent decades. Experts warn that if the erosion continues at this pace, much of the island could vanish within our lifetime.

To reach Majuli, travellers can take a ferry from Jorhat, a journey that offers breathtaking views of the Brahmaputra’s expanse. Eco-tourism initiatives encourage visitors to stay in homestays, participate in local festivals like Raas Leela, and learn traditional crafts—helping both the community and conservation efforts.

Visiting Majuli is more than a trip—it’s a chance to witness a fragile paradise that blends nature, spirituality, and culture. Every traveller who steps onto this island becomes part of its story, and perhaps part of its fight for survival.

If there’s a time to see Majuli, it’s now—before this jewel of Assam fades into the waters it has called home for centuries.