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Culture in Majuli
From the beginning of their settlement in the island the people of Majuli have been facing the challenge of roaring force of nature like river Brahmaputra and have acquired the art of utilizing this mighty force of nature for their benefit. With the advent of Vaishnava saint of Assam the people have made their tiny island a Nerve Center of Assamese Religion, Art, Culture and Education and they have been preserving it as a living culture for the last five hundred years against all challenge of calamities - natural, political and social. This is a unique in this world and deserves recognition. Majuli for the past five centuries has been the cultural capital of Assam. The main depositories of cultural and spiritual heritage are the Sattras, which are just like Gurukul (hermitages) of yore. Here up to 400 celibates’ stay for life preserving spiritual and cultural heritage, renouncing worldly desires. From the time of the great Vaishnavite renaissance of 14th and 15th century AD, under Srimanta Sankardeva, Srimanta Madhab Deva and other saints this island became the seat of Vaishnavite religion, art and culture. The famous Satriya Nritya (Dance) and Ankiya Bhaona (Traditional Drama) created by Sankardeva are now Internationally acclaimed and Nationally honoured. Majuli is equally famous for Tribal Folk Culture and Heritage. It is said to be the cradle of Missing and Deori cultures. The ancient Indian “GURU SISHYA PARAMPARA” system of education is prevalent only in the Satra Institutions of Majuli, Assam. The system confines the universal code, humanitarianism, the path of devotion, renunciation, truth, non-violence, well-being of the people, liberation from birth and death, under restrain, charity and compassion. The antique social customs of indigenous Assamese society are in practice only in the Sattras of Majuli in lineage system. In the sattra institutions of Majuli there is ample scope for learning every faculty required for leading a cleansing successful life.