User:Sharmasim/sandbox

Author – Dhruba J Das

As a Travel professional I love to Travel & more curious to explore some less explored destination in India. North East India which

comprising eight states including Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura ,Mizoram, Arunachal & Sikkim highlighted as

Unexplored India or Incredible North East.

On 28th Novemeber, I have decided to Travel Majuli- the largest river island in the world located in the Bank of the mighty River

Brahmaputra.

How to Reach Majuli –

By Air – Jorhat Airport – 24 Km

Dibrugarh Airport- 150 km- 3hrs

Guwahati Airport- 350 Km – 8 hrs

By Train – There is several trains to Jorhat including Jan Shatabdi Express which starts 0630 from Guwahati and arrive 1320 at Jorhat by

Dimapur.

By Bus – AC & Non Ac Deluxe coach operates from Guwahati ISBT to Jorhat Daily morning onwards

As my home town Guwahati, Assam so started my trip from Guwahati in the Morning by 0700 hrs and arrive Jorhat in the afternoon by 1500

hrs. I travelled by road via Kaziranga and stop for lunch at Hornbil Restaurant to take a taste authentic Assamese cuisine. Restaurant run by

Mr Hari Gogoi (known as Hari da ). I reached Neemati Ghat (Bank of River Brahmaputra) around 1530 hrs and board on Govt ferry to Kamalabari Ghat (Majuli) which starts at

1600 hrs and this is the last ferry to the Majuli- The Island of desire and Hope. Govt ferry is quite big and its carries passenger as well as

vehicles. I really enjoyed traveling in ferry where I met some tourist with whom we discussed about Vaishanavite culture and Saint Guru

Srimanta Sankardev of 16th Century. Sunset View during traveling in ferry was so awesome that I couldn’t resist myself to take few photos.

It took almost 1hrs 15 minutes by Ferry to reach Nimati Ghat is connected to four River Banks (Ghat) in Majuli Known as Kamalabari,

Aphalghat, Dakhinpat Ghat and Xalmora Ghat.

Once I arrived in kamalabari Bank My friend’s (Dr N K Saikia from Majuli) relatives met on arrival and later proceed to their home. I say Bye

to my tourist friends who have already booked their accommodation in hotel.

Majuli will truly amaze you where you can feel calm and peace once you enter to island. Once I reached their home I was overwhelmed

with their heartiest welcome.

Next Day early morning post breakfast proced to visit satras. My first stop was Auniati satra.

The Auniati Satra was established in Majuli in 1653 A.D. by the Ahom King Sultanla. He was given the name Jayaddhaja Singha after he

adopted the Hindu Religion (Vaishnava) from the first Satradhikar of Auniati Satra Sri Sri Niranjan Deva. King Jayaddhaja Singha was

endowed with 81,650 bighas of land in two different categories namely Devotra and Brohmotra to be looked after and maintained by the

Satra. A little elevated land of Majuli, where this Satra was established, was full of Auni Paan (a kind of betel creeper plant). Ati means

elevated place. There from the name Auniati Satra came into being. The main prayer in the Auniati Satra continues from morning till

evening everyday and is being continued without interruption for more than last 350 years.\

As Travel Professional I was looking for someone who can explain us more about Satra and guide us for our whole day trip. By the Grace

of Guru Sankardev I met Mr Nitul Dutta who is Bhakat of Auni Ati Satra (and explained about Satra and introduced us with other devotees.

Later I got to know that he provides guide service and he has depth knowledge in Majuli ( Currently Nitul Dutta is working with Travel Line

and guiding our domestic as well as Inbound Tourist in Majuli We visited The idol which receives daily worship in the Satra Temple

(Manikuta) is the idol of Lord Krishna called Govinda. This idol was originally brought from Jagannath Kshetra (Puri, Orissa) and installed

there with all the Vedic religious rituals.. In addition to the regular holy practices in the Satra, numerous literary pursuits like biographical

works of the Vaishnavite Saints, cultural compositions of ‘bhaonas’, ‘Satriya songs and dances’, religious publications and preaching

related to religious and societal works are the core activities of the Auniati Satra. Later we visited Sri SrI Natun and Purani Kamalabari Satra, Sri Sri Gormur Satra & Sri Sri Dakhin pat Grihasthri/Ashrami Satra,Finally we

proceed to visit Sri Sri Purani (Prachin ) Samuguri Satra Bongaon .Samuguri Satra also famous for Mask Making.After visiting Prachin

Samuguri I reached my  friend Dr N K Saikia’s residence at Bongaon where his parents and Brother greeted  with traditional Gamosa and

sweets (Narikal Ladu and Pitha).

Next day Morning I started my trip focusing on exploring the accommodation in Majuli. Visited Ygdrasill Bamboo Cottage which is in kerala

Gaon. Traditional bamboo huts on stilts surrounded by water. Tranquil, quiet, wildlife, a big lake, friendly people, excellent food and great

value for money. The area is secure; there are communal rooms (like a dormitory) and a double room and suite. All made from bamboo

with bamboo furniture. Here I met young person from Majuli who is working for a NGO – Amar Majuli with his vision on women

Empowerment and sustainable Agriculture.