Vadodara’s United Way Garba faced chaos on Monday, the first night of the event, after muddy and waterlogged grounds made it difficult for participants to dance. Garba players (Khelayias) stopped performing and demanded refunds, forcing organisers to announce reimbursements for the first day.
The city’s biggest Garba event had drawn around 25,000 enthusiastic participants during the initial session. However, as the night progressed, complaints about the swampy conditions grew. Singer Atul Purohit was reportedly targeted with thrown mud, and some attendees misbehaved despite his attempts to calm the crowd. Chants of “refund, refund” eventually led to the event being called off.
Organisers assured that the ground would be restored by the second night to match previous years’ standards. Those seeking refunds can submit their passes at designated stalls, with money expected to be transferred online within six days.