Majuli: A Day Inside the World's Largest River Island

Majuli, in the middle of the Brahmaputra river, is widely cited as the world's largest river island and remains the centre of Assam's Neo-Vaishnavite culture. A typical day starts with the ferry crossing from Nimati Ghat, followed by visits to one or two satras (monasteries), where resident monks maintain centuries-old traditions of dance, chanting and mask-making. Craft villages nearby offer a close look at the mask-making process, from bamboo frame to painted final piece. Cycling is a popular way to get around the island's flat, quiet roads, and sunset over the Brahmaputra from the riverbank is one of the trip's highlights.