Raas Mahotsav Majuli 2026: Dates, Best Satras and How to Get There
Raas Mahotsav 2026 in Majuli is expected around 24 to 26 November, on Raas Purnima. Where to watch the all-night Raas Leela, how to reach by ferry, and where to stay.
Raas Mahotsav is Majuli's biggest festival: several nights of Raas Leela, plays about the life of Lord Krishna, staged in the island's satras (Vaishnavite monasteries) and villages. It is held on Raas Purnima, the full moon of the Assamese month of Kartik. In 2026 Raas Purnima falls on 24 November, so the main festival is expected around 24 to 26 November 2026.
Exact dates are set locally each year, and some villages begin a day or two earlier, so check with the Majuli district administration or your host before you book travel.
Raas Mahotsav 2026 at a glance
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Expected dates | Around 24–26 November 2026 |
| Raas Purnima | 24 November 2026 |
| Place | Majuli river island, Assam |
| Performances | Mostly at night, many running until dawn |
| Language | Assamese, with music and dance easy to follow |
| Entry | Most stages are free; some charge a small fee for seats |
What is the Raas Leela?
The Raas Leela retells episodes from Krishna's life, from his childhood in Vrindavan to the dance with the gopis. Majuli's version grew out of the neo-Vaishnavite tradition of Srimanta Sankardeva, and the satras have performed it for close to two centuries.
What makes Majuli special is the scale and the craft. Performances use hand-made masks (Samaguri Satra is famous for them), live music, and large casts of local performers. A single play can run for many hours, and audiences settle in for the night with blankets and tea.
Where to watch: the best satras
- Garamur Satra: one of the best-known venues, with large crowds and elaborate staging.
- Auniati Satra: one of the oldest and most important satras on the island.
- Dakhinpat Satra: widely regarded as where the Majuli Raas tradition began.
- Uttar Kamalabari and Natun Kamalabari: known for music and dance, and close to the ferry landing at Kamalabari.
Most visitors move between two or three stages over the festival. Ask your host which performances are on each night.
How to reach Majuli for Raas
- Get to Jorhat. Jorhat is about 300 km from Guwahati: 6–7 hours by road, or a short flight, or a train.
- Drive to Nimati Ghat, about 13 km from Jorhat.
- Take the ferry across the Brahmaputra to Kamalabari Ghat on Majuli, about an hour. Ferries run in daylight only, and they are crowded during Raas, so be at the ghat early.
- On the island, hire a shared vehicle or a scooter to move between satras.
Our Majuli guide covers the ferry in more detail, and the Jorhat and Majuli itinerary shows how to fit it into a trip.
Where to stay
Majuli has homestays and simple guesthouses around Garamur and Kamalabari, and some satras host visitors during the festival. Rooms fill up weeks ahead of Raas. If you can't find a bed on the island, stay in Jorhat and come over for one night, but remember the last ferry back leaves in the afternoon.
Tips for the festival
- Carry a warm layer and a shawl: late-November nights on the island are cool and damp.
- Bring a torch and cash; ATMs on Majuli are few.
- Remove shoes where asked, and dress modestly inside satras.
- Ask before photographing performers backstage, and never use flash during the play.
Combine Raas with Kaziranga
Late November is also the start of the Kaziranga safari season. Kaziranga is about 2 hours from Jorhat, so a Majuli–Kaziranga trip works well. Book a private Kaziranga jeep safari online, or see our Northeast India tour packages.
For other festivals, see our Northeast India festival calendar.
Helpful Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Raas Mahotsav in Majuli in 2026?
It is expected around 24 to 26 November 2026, centred on Raas Purnima, which falls on 24 November. Confirm the local schedule before you travel.
What is Raas Leela?
A dance-drama about the life of Lord Krishna, performed in Majuli's satras and villages during Raas Mahotsav, with masks, music and dance, often through the night.
Which satra is best for Raas in Majuli?
Garamur, Auniati, Dakhinpat and the Kamalabari satras are the best known. Most visitors watch performances at two or three of them.
How do I reach Majuli?
Drive or fly to Jorhat, go to Nimati Ghat, and take the ferry to Kamalabari, which takes about an hour. Ferries run only in daylight.
Is there an entry fee for Raas Mahotsav?
Most performances are free to watch. Some stages charge a small amount for seats.
Where should I stay during Raas?
In homestays around Garamur or Kamalabari on the island. Book weeks ahead, as rooms fill up for the festival.
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