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Did you know? World's largest and smallest inhabited river islands are in same river

The world's largest inhabited river island, Majuli, and the smallest, Umananda, are both located in the Brahmaputra River in Assam, India. This unique river holds two extremes of human habitation, showcasing nature’s incredible contrasts.

saptadeepa-bhattacharjee
Edited By: Saptadeepa Bhattacharjee @Saptadeepa25
Published on: April 25, 2025 20:38 IST
Majuli in Assam is the largest inhabited river island in the world. It spans over 350 square kilometers. It's a haven for bird watchers — home to a variety of migratory and resident birds, especially during the winter.
1/8 Image Source : Social media
Majuli in Assam is the largest inhabited river island in the world. It spans over 350 square kilometers. It's a haven for bird watchers — home to a variety of migratory and resident birds, especially during the winter.
Majuli is bordered by the Brahmaputra River to the South and East, the Subansiri River to the West, and an anabranch of the Brahmaputra River.
2/8 Image Source : Social media
Majuli is bordered by the Brahmaputra River to the South and East, the Subansiri River to the West, and an anabranch of the Brahmaputra River.
The island is inhabited by members of the Mising, Deori, and Sonowal Kachari tribes and serves as a hub of Assamese neo-Vaishnavite culture. It is accessible by ferry or boat from Jorhat, which is located about 250 kilometers northeast of Guwahati.
3/8 Image Source : Social media
The island is inhabited by members of the Mising, Deori, and Sonowal Kachari tribes and serves as a hub of Assamese neo-Vaishnavite culture. It is accessible by ferry or boat from Jorhat, which is located about 250 kilometers northeast of Guwahati.
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Bhaona is a traditional masked theatrical art form from Majuli, Assam, blending music, dance, and storytelling to depict religious tales from the Bhagawat Purana and Ramayana, rooted in Srimanta Sankardeva’s Neo-Vaishnavite tradition.
4/8 Image Source : Social media
Bhaona is a traditional masked theatrical art form from Majuli, Assam, blending music, dance, and storytelling to depict religious tales from the Bhagawat Purana and Ramayana, rooted in Srimanta Sankardeva’s Neo-Vaishnavite tradition.
Umananda Island, the world's smallest inhabited river islet, sits in the Brahmaputra River in Guwahati, Assam, and is named after the goddess Uma (Parvati) and the word 'ananda' meaning joy.
5/8 Image Source : Social media
Umananda Island, the world's smallest inhabited river islet, sits in the Brahmaputra River in Guwahati, Assam, and is named after the goddess Uma (Parvati) and the word 'ananda' meaning joy.
It is mostly visited for its Shiva temple, the Umananda Temple, and was also home to a large population of golden langurs, an endangered species of primate
6/8 Image Source : Social media
It is mostly visited for its Shiva temple, the Umananda Temple, and was also home to a large population of golden langurs, an endangered species of primate
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Umananda Island, also called Peacock Island for its shape and Bhasmachal due to a legend where Kamdev was incinerated by Shiva's wrath, blends mythological lore with colonial history.
7/8 Image Source : Social media
Umananda Island, also called Peacock Island for its shape and Bhasmachal due to a legend where Kamdev was incinerated by Shiva's wrath, blends mythological lore with colonial history.
The Guwahati Ropeway, India's longest river ropeway, offers stunning aerial views of the Brahmaputra and Umananda Island, home to the historic Umananda Temple.
8/8 Image Source : Social media
The Guwahati Ropeway, India's longest river ropeway, offers stunning aerial views of the Brahmaputra and Umananda Island, home to the historic Umananda Temple.
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