### 20 Interesting Facts About Majuli
1. Majuli is recognized by Guinness World Records as the world's largest river island. 2. In 2016, it became the first island in India to be made a district. 3. The island is the cultural capital of Assamese Neo-Vaishnavism, founded by the 15th-century saint Srimanta Sankardeva. 4. Majuli's landmass has shrunk significantly; it was once over 1,200 sq km but is now estimated to be under 400 sq km due to severe erosion. 5. The island is home to traditional "Sattras" (monasteries), which are centers for prayer, arts, and classical studies. 6. The Samaguri Sattra is world-famous for its traditional mask-making craft (Mukha Bhaona), using bamboo, clay, and cow dung. 7. The Mising (or Mishing) tribe constitutes the largest demographic group on the island. 8. Mising families traditionally live in "Chang ghars," which are bamboo houses built on high stilts to keep them safe from annual floods. 9. Ali-Aye-Ligang is the most vibrant festival of the Mising tribe, celebrating the onset of sowing seeds. 10. The island hosts the grand "Raas Mahotsav" festival every November, depicting the life of Lord Krishna, drawing tourists globally. 11. The village of Salmora is famous for a unique form of pottery made entirely by hand, without the use of a potter's wheel. 12. Majuli has been on the UNESCO World Heritage Site tentative list for nearly two decades. 13. Over 100 varieties of rice are grown on the island, including the unique "Bao Dhan" (red rice) that grows in deep water. 14. The island is a major hub for traditional Assamese handloom; almost every household has a loom. 15. Local transportation heavily relies on river ferries traversing the Brahmaputra from Nimati Ghat in Jorhat. 16. Jadav Payeng, a local environmentalist, spent decades planting trees on a barren sandbar near Majuli, creating a forest larger than Central Park. 17. Auniati Sattra is famous for its "Palnaam" and "Apsara" dances, unique traditional performances preserved for centuries. 18. The island was formed by historical shifts in the course of the Brahmaputra River and its tributaries, largely due to major earthquakes. 19. Majuli has a unique ecology with numerous "beels" (wetlands) that act as breeding grounds for local and migratory fish and birds. 20. Apong, a traditional rice beer brewed by the local tribes, is a staple cultural beverage in Majuli.