A large volume of content, especially on YouTube and Instagram, panders to Western exoticism. It presents India as a permanent, mystical fantasy land—all ashrams, sadhus, and turmeric lattes—while ignoring poverty, pollution, traffic, and social inequality. Be wary of creators who never show the "messy middle."

Work and education are often scheduled around festival seasons. Beyond the grand names, almost every village has a local jatra (fair) or temple festival.