India Syndrome

The India Syndrome is a type of delusion similar in nature to the Jerusalem Syndrome, Paris Syndrome or Florence Syndrome, but it has a slightly different twist to it. Large number of Western tourists, truth-seekers, spiritualists have a romanticized idea of India as the home of spirituality. Westerners have been exploring Indian spirituality since the late 19th century, but they only started traveling to the country in large numbers after the Beatles visited Rishikesh in 1968 to study under the maharishi. In 2010, nearly 5.8 million people traveled to India.

Many travel to the mysterious and mystic India to seek enlightenment, but on arriving they do not find enlightenment. What they find is a overcrowded country filled with loud noises, pollution, heavy unruly traffic and smells that range from enticing to downright vomit-inducing.

The difference between reality and the expectations of these visitors can result in many westerners suffering from delusions and episodes of schizophrenia. As a result they might even be admitted to psychiatric wards because of their mental sufferings[1].

India Syndrome is not to be confused with Delhi-Belly Syndrome.

[1] Alazard: Doctor, I got the Indian Syndrome - 2006