Majuli Raas Mahotsav 2026 From Guwahati: Getting There, the Ferry and a 3-Day Plan
Quick take: Raas begins on Raas Purnima, 24 November 2026, and usually runs about three nights across Majuli's satras and village stages. From Guwahati it's about 6 hours to Neamati Ghat near Jorhat, then an hour on the ferry. Plan three days, book your room on the island early, and be at the ghat early in the day. A car (₹2,799/day) or a bike (₹999/day) gets you there, and a car with a driver takes the long drive off your hands. Dates and venues are on the festival page.
What the Raas is
The Raas Leela retells Krishna's life in music, dance and drama, with masks and costumes made on the island. It started at Dakhinpat Satra more than 300 years ago, and today the satras and villages each stage their own. There isn't one venue: in 2025 there were shows at 12 satras and more than 50 open-air stages. Performances start in the evening and run late into the night.
Garamur Satra's shows are among the best known and are ticketed; they sell out weeks ahead. Many village stages are free and just as lively, so even without a Garamur ticket you'll have plenty to watch.
Getting there from Guwahati
Drive east through Nagaon and past Kaziranga to Jorhat, then 15 km to Neamati Ghat. The ferry crosses the Brahmaputra to Kamalabari Ghat on Majuli in about an hour. The full road, stops and fuel tips are in our Guwahati to Majuli route guide.
The ferry in festival week: expect queues. Ferries take vehicles when there's space, and in festival week there's less of it. Reach the ghat in the morning, check the day's last crossing, and don't plan to cross after dark. If the vehicle queue is long, you can leave the car in Jorhat and use local transport on the island.
| How you go | Per day | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Suzuki Ertiga 7-seater | ₹2,799 | Families and groups of up to 7; break the drive at Kaziranga |
| Yamaha FZ-S FI V2 | ₹999 | Two people; easiest between stages on the island at night |
| Private car with a driver | from ₹2,900 | No driving, and someone else handles the ferry queue |
A scooty can make the trip, but it's a long day on the highway each way. A bike or car is the better choice.
Where to stay
Majuli has a limited number of homestays, guesthouses and satra rooms, mostly around Garamur and Kamalabari, and they fill up weeks before the Raas. Book as soon as you have dates. Staying on the island is what makes the festival work: performances end late, and you don't want to depend on the ferry.
If the island is full, stay in Jorhat and cross each morning. You'll catch the evening shows only if you stay over, so try to get at least one night on Majuli.
A 3-day plan
Day 1 (Monday 23 November): Guwahati to Jorhat
- Leave Guwahati early. Break at Nagaon, and if you've time, take an afternoon safari at Kaziranga (the park reopens in November).
- Night in Jorhat or Kaziranga. Refuel in Jorhat.
Day 2 (Tuesday 24 November, Raas Purnima): Across to Majuli
- Morning ferry from Neamati Ghat. Check in, then visit Samaguri Satra for mask-making and a Mishing village by day.
- Evening: the first night of the Raas. Start at Garamur or the Kamalabari satras, then drift between village stages.
Day 3 (Wednesday 25 November): Majuli, then back
- A slow morning by the river: birdlife, pottery villages, the satras in daylight.
- Either stay a second night for more performances, or take an afternoon ferry and drive towards Guwahati, breaking at Kaziranga.
Our rentals
Allowed anywhere in Assam
Self-drive · CarSuzuki Ertiga 7-seaterFamilies · Groupsfrom ₹2,799/day
Self-drive · BikeYamaha FZ-S FI V2Solo riders · Couplesfrom ₹999/day
Self-drive · BikeHonda SP 125Solo riders · Couplesfrom ₹999/day
Self-drive · BikeBajaj Pulsar N160Solo riders · Couplesfrom ₹1,199/day
Self-drive · ScooterYamaha RayZR 125 Fi Hybrid Street RallyCity exploration · Short local tripsfrom ₹799/day
Self-drive · ScooterTVS NTorq 150City rides · Couplesfrom ₹899/dayTips for Raas week
- Book early: the room on the island first, then a Garamur ticket if you want one.
- Dress warm. Late-November nights by the river are cold, especially on a bike.
- Carry a torch and some cash; village roads between stages are dark and small stalls rarely take cards.
- Respect the satras. Dress modestly, take your shoes off where asked, and don't photograph during the performance without permission.
- Ride slowly at night. Island roads are narrow and busy with people walking between stages.
FAQs
When is the Majuli Raas Mahotsav 2026? Raas begins on Raas Purnima, 24 November 2026, and usually runs about three days. Satras announce their own programmes closer to the date.
How far is Majuli from Guwahati? About 6 hours by road to Neamati Ghat near Jorhat, then about an hour on the ferry.
Can I take a rented car to Majuli? Yes. Our rentals can go anywhere in Assam, and the ferry carries vehicles when there's space. In festival week, reach the ghat early, or leave the car in Jorhat.
Do I need tickets for the Raas? Only for some shows, such as Garamur Satra's, which sell out weeks ahead. Many village stages are free.
Is a permit needed for Majuli? No. Majuli is in Assam; no permit is needed for Indian or foreign visitors.
Contact / Book
Raas week is busy on the island and on the ferry. Message us on WhatsApp with your dates and we'll keep a car or bike for you, or plan the trip with a driver.
