Vadodara: As the Navratri festival approaches and Khelaiyas gear up for Garba, the buzz in Vadodara, the Garba capital of Gujarat, is not just about dance but also about where to play and at what price. Two of the city’s famous venues, Lakshmi Vilas Palace (LVP) Heritage Garba and Atul Purohit’s United Way Garba, have started selling their passes on online ticketing platforms. However, the hefty prices at LVP Heritage Garba, with a significant hike from last year, have triggered widespread reactions on social media and comparisons with other venues.

Before diving into the price comparisons, it’s worth noting that LVP Heritage and United Way passes are available online but on different platforms. LVP passes are being sold on BookMyShow, while United Way passes can be purchased through Zomato’s Diwali app.

Looking at the changes over the past year, Lakshmi Vilas Palace (LVP) Garba ticket prices for 2025 have seen a noticeable increase. The female season pass rose from around ₹1,300 in 2024 to ₹2,100 in 2025, reflecting a significant hike. Similarly, the male season pass increased from ₹4,000 last year to ₹5,500 this year. It is also notable that these passes cover entry only, with additional charges for services like refreshments or water possibly applied at the venue.

Apart from LVP Heritage Garba, another major venue is United Way Garba, where participants enjoy performances by the famous Garba singer Atul Purohit. When comparing prices, United Way Garba passes are more affordable, priced at ₹4,300 for male players and ₹1,750 for female players. This represents a difference of around ₹1,200 for male passes and about ₹350 for female passes.

Another factor that makes United Way an attractive option for Garba enthusiasts is the additional perks offered, including daily Zomato discounts, movie vouchers, and dining offers, which add extra value to the passes.

Garba lovers criticize the price hike on social media

One user on Instagram, Harsha, said, “1400 to 2100? which kind of price hike is this!!!” Another one said that she hopes that passes are delivered at home at such a hefty price.

Another user in a sarcastic comment said, “2030 sudhi ma 15000 thai jase,” meaning by 2030 the price will be 15,000.

One user by the ID of riddhesh.radhe states, “please understand that Sir Sayajirao Gaekwad always placed Vadodara’s interests above everything else. Garba, at its core, is not meant to be treated as a business venture but as an act of devotion and prayer to Maa. If you truly believe it is only about business, then wait for two or three years-when passes are no longer issued-you will realize that garba cannot be commercialized. Sheri garba remains the best: safe, simple, without parking hassles, without long queues, and most importantly, absolutely free.”

“There must be a point when you should stop and not increase the price. It is necessary to increase the price every year. Isn’t your management good? Your parking water gets finished before the Garba gets finished. This is your convenience, then why give 5629, we should please tell you.” another one added.

One of the users warned the organizers of meme flood due to such high prices saying, “LVP Garba pass ka price dekh ke lag raha hai hum dance karne ja rahe hai ya EMI bharne 2024 se itna bada jump? Female 2188, Student Male 3888, Male 5588 + GST matlab rocket ki speed se price upar Thoda reasonable rakho yaar, warna crowd kam aur memes zyada banenge”

“700,1400,2100 …seven ka table follow kar rahe ho this is very bad. Baroda ki ye pehchan dheere dheere khatam ho jaayegi,” read another comment.

Pricing Face-Off

However, it can be said that despite the price hike at LVP, it will remain a popular heritage venue, as it has been for years in the city of Vadodara. At the same time, United Way’s more economical pricing, coupled with promotional perks, might appeal to budget-conscious players looking for value during the festival. DeshGujarat