The island is inhabited by members of the Mising, Deori, and Sonowal Kachari tribes and serves as a hub of Assamese neo-Vaishnavite culture.

The island is a long and slender piece of land located between two parallel rivers: the Brahmaputra to the north and the Burhidihing to the south.

[9] The Ahom king Pratap Singha built a rampart on Majuli called Meragarh in the first half of the 17th century.

[11] Majuli has been the cultural hub of Assamese civilization since the 16th century, largely due to the visit of Srimanta Sankardeva, a social reformer of that era.

Sankardeva, a pioneer of the neo-Vaishnavite movement, preached Vaishnavism and established monasteries called satras on the island.

It remained under British rule until India gained independence in 1947 and is recognized as the world's largest river island.

The indigenous communities include members of the Mising (the majority), Deori, Kaibarta, and Sonowal Kachari tribes, who immigrated from Arunachal Pradesh to Majuli centuries ago[citation needed].

The traditional Mising dance called Gumrag Soman is performed in every village to worship Donyi Polo (Mother Sun and Father Moon) for a good harvest.

Traditional pottery is crafted using clay and fired in driftwood kilns, following the methods of the ancient Harappan Civilization.

Despite pressure from modernizing forces, these ancient cultural practices and dance forms remain largely intact.

"[21] Madhavdev and his mentor enriched Assamese literature by writing, among other works, Nam Ghosa, Borgeet, and Bhatima.

[23] Majul is a wetland that serves as a habitat for various rare and endangered avian species, particularly migratory birds that visit during the winter.

Notable species include the greater adjutant stork, pelican, Siberian crane, and whistling teal.

Large embankments built in nearby towns upstream to prevent erosion during the monsoon season have had unintended consequences.

The Water Resources Department and the Brahmaputra Board have been struggling to solve the erosion problem for the last three decades but have had little success.

Recently, it was suggested that constructing a four-lane highway protected by a concrete mat along the southern boundary of Majuli, along with the excavation of the riverbed of the Brahmaputra River, could help address the issue.

Among the fascinating varieties of rice produced are Komal Saul, a unique type that can be eaten after immersing the grains in warm water for 15 minutes and is usually consumed as a breakfast cereal; Bao Dhan, which grows underwater and is harvested after ten months; and bora saul, a sticky brown rice used to make a traditional cake with fish known as pitha.

On 4 November 2017, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal launched 647 schemes with a total financial outlay of ₹246 million to boost Majuli's development.

[33] The southern part of Majuli is recognized as a significant area for birdwatching, attracting avian enthusiasts and researchers alike.

[35] The optimal time for visits is between November and March, when the weather conditions are favorable and the opportunities for wildlife observation are enhanced.