Mayong-the Black Magic capital of India

Abracadabra….heard of a place , where probably this is a rhyme ? Well,  not exactly the same words ,  but the tradition of sorcery and magic is  passed on from generation to generation ? A village where fortune tellers claim to predict a person’s future using seashells and broken glass pieces! Welcome to Mayong-the Black Magic capital of India!

Oh yes, in case you are having a hard time with that back pain, heading to Mayong may not be a bad idea. A copper plate will come to your rescue! Not only that, it will also  figure out if the pain is real or not.  Sounds like a page from the Harry Potter series?

We are talking about the land of Magic or Occult  called Mayong in Assam, India. Mayong is mentioned in Alamgir Nama, a chronicle of the first 10 years of Emperor Aurangzeb’s reign. The book states that Mughal armies feared the power of black magic practised in Mayong.

Mayong in Mythological scriptures

Mayong is also mentioned in Mahabharata. It is believed that Ghatotkacha, sone of Hidimba and Bheem (one of the Pandavas) belonged to the Kachari Kingdom of Assam. He was martyred in the battle of Kurukshetra.  He is believed to have attained magical powers from Mayong which came in handy during the war. Mayong still has a traditional King, the 40th of the Kachari (Ghatotkacha’s clan) tribal rulers.

Though there are a lot of mythical stories around this place. The locals consider magic to be a form of craft.  In the ancient times people from far off places used to come to Mayong to learn magic and witchcraft. This place is also full of folklores and mythical tales. Legend says that, witches and the saints of black magic took shelter in the Mayong woods many centuries back.. A number of practices like Narabali (human sacrifice) were carried out in this village to attain magical powers.

Excavators have found swords in Mayong that resemble those used to sacrifice humans in other parts of India. However, one can’t say this with conviction, after meeting the lovely and warm locals of Mayong.  The locals of Mayong are known for practicing such rituals for curing ailments , for social welfare and not really for doing evil things.

It is also believed that Muhammad Shah’s army of 1 lakh horsemen perished at the hands of witchcraft in a location near Mayong in 1337.  But it could have been because of a natural disaster, losing way in a difficult terrain or succumbing to the wild. No one knows the real reason behind it.

How did Mayong get its name ?

Well there are different versions of this. Some believe that the village gets its name from the Sanskrit word “Maya” which means illusion.  There are others who say that the village got its name from a Goddess whose name is Maa Er Ongo. Where Maa is supposed to be Mother (Goddess) Shakti and Ongo means a part of her.

Yet another story says that Mayong being a hilly area was full of elephants, and in Dimasa (one of the  tribes of Assam) language an elephant is called Miyong, which became became Mayong over a period of time. Some locals also say that Mayong once used to be inhabited by  the Moirang clan from Manipur and moirang became  Mayong. Irrespective of whichever version is correct, what is consistent is that it is a land of magic.

The practice of Magic and Occult

There are various stories about Mayong, like people disappearing into thin air, men being turned into animals, wild beasts being tamed magically, etc. Though there’s no clear evidence to all of this, the locals and elderly people here claim that they themselves have seen such things happen during their childhood therefore, there is an element of truth in all these. Well, no one can say, how much of this is a fact and how much is a fiction.

Until 40 years ago, sorcery was widely practiced in Mayong – almost every fifth household had a Bej (Bez) or Oja (one who performs spells). These bej/Oja can also be called as witch doctors or healers.People used to go to the Bej with their issues- personal, professional or any ailments

Is Mayong  still the Black Magic capital of India  ?

The mantra (chants) used then have become extinct now and probably remain as a part of the stories passed on to the next generation. Some of the elderly people possess old manuscripts of magic, though they don’t make them public. It is believed that the power of these spells will diminish, if made public .

The locals still talk about Chaura Bez from the ancient times who could even sedate an angry tiger with Baagh Bandha Mantra or use Mohini Mantra to create attraction between two individuals.

One of the most common acts of magic still seen in Mayong  is the act of curing back pain. The Bej/Oja places a copper plate with magical chants on the back of the ailing person to track the pain. As per the Bej, when the pain surfaces, the plate gets stuck to the body, and results in alleviation of the pain. It is said that if the person is really suffering from pain, the copper dish becomes extremely hot and within seconds, it breaks and scatters automatically.

The youth however, has a very different approach to the witchcraft. Some are doing research on its origin,  some are  trying to save them for historical significance. Some believe that the medicinal properties are a part of traditional wisdom and before the arrival of medical science , these herbs and yogic chants were considered effective. They are trying to identify medicinal herbs and commonly found items for addressing a disease or an ailment.

Mayong Museum

Mayong-the black magic capital of India can be explored better through the Mayong musuem. The locals have set up a museum to collect old scriptures that have survived. The Mayong Central Museum and Emporium of Black Magic and Witchcraft was established in the village in 2002. It flaunts magical remnants, weapons, old coins, scripts, jewelry made from bones and skulls, and tools used for human sacrifice, among other artifacts. The manuscripts can be of great significance when looked at from a literary or linguistic point of view.

The museum has been listed as one of the ten most unique museums off the beaten path by National Geographic. P.C. Sarkar, the world famous magician from India , is supposed to have acknowledged Mayong’s teachings for many of his performances.

What could be your other reasons to visit Mayong-the Black Magic capital of India ? Whether you are an adventure seeker, or a history buff, or a curator of dark arts , Mayong will have something for you to be explored. The village has great scenic beauty and has  ancient shrines and temples. The Land of Pancha Devata is an accumulation of five temples, each dedicated to a different God — Kartik, Ganesh, Vishnu, Shiva, and Parvati. Burha Mayong has  a large stone 3.85 metre inscription, the biggest in Asia. For the wild life enthususiats, Pobitora National park is just next door. In fact don’t miss the Mayong Pobitora festival

Mayong Pobitora Festival:

Every year in the month of November, Mayong and Pobitora National Park come together for three days. The festival showcases the unique culture and heritage along with ethnic food, some magical healing therapy and music. The festival celebrates the fusion between wildlife and sorcery in the lap of nature, by the

With just a few practitioners left, the magical art of Mayong may soon get into oblivion . It’s time to explore this magical land.  How about chanting the Uran Mantra ( flying Mantra) and landing straight  in Mayong !

If by any chance you lose something in Mayong , the tantric will place a flower in a metal bowl, which will move and take you  directly to the place where the stolen item is hidden. And if you still don’t like the place , just chant the Luki Mantra ( hiding Mantra) and disappear or Uran Mantra and get back to your original place. Or take the Uran Mantra and visit the largest river island,  Majuli or the Kaziranga National Park

How to reach Mayong- the Black Magic capital of India?

Mayong is just 40 kilometres away from Guwahati, which is well connected with other Indian cities via flights, trains and buses. There is no magic here 🙂

Best time to experience Mayong ?

Best time to visit Mayong is between October to March. Summer and Monsoons are best avoided

You could explore the North-east Indian state of Assam and then add on a couple of days to visit Mayong. We will be glad to customize this for you.