Is that Garba at the Burj Khalifa? Internet divided over the viral Bollywood dance moment in Dubai

A viral video of a clutch of Indian tourists dressed in bright yellow T-shirts breaking into a spirited Garba (an Indian dance) inside the world's tallest building — yes, the Burj Khalifa — has got the internet talking.

For the uninitiated, Garba is a high-energy folk dance from Gujarat, usually reserved for festive nights — not the 124th floor of a skyscraper.

Fueled by the beats of Chogada from a popular Bollywood film, these tourists-turned-impropmptu dancers gave Dubai’s skyline some unexpected Navratri flair.

Shared by Instagram page @the_walking_lens_, the video shows a group of tourists swirling in a classic circular formation, mid-Garba, on the Burj Khalifa’s observation deck.

It's yet to be determined if it was a promotional plug of some product, but the episode makes you think about about tourist etiquette and whether the other tourists at the observation deck truly appreciate this impromptu gig?

So you wonder if it's cultural cringe or cultural appreciation.
While some argue it’s a proud display of Indian heritage, others wonder if this was the right place — or moment. After all, when you shell out hundreds of dirhams to gaze at Dubai’s glittering skyline, a spontaneous dance performance might not be part of your ticketed experience.

This isn’t a one-off:
We’ve seen it before — couples recreating DDLJ moments at Mount Titlis, complete with chiffon sarees in sub-zero temperatures. Or impromptu Bhangra at Times Square. A proud cultural flex? Or unsolicited public performance? But where do we draw the line between celebration and disruption? Are we exporting our joy — or just our lack of boundaries? It’s a fine line between culture and chaos, especially in global tourist spots where expectations of behavior are… let’s just say, different.

And as this new Garba video twirled its way across the internet, so did the opinions.

“Stop embarrassing the rest of us,” wrote one social media user, clearly horrified.

“Civic sense?? RIP,” another shot back, practically eulogising public decorum. One unimpressed viewer snapped, “This isn’t a dance floor, it’s an observation deck.”

But the pro-Garba squad wasn’t backing down — “Love seeing our culture go global!” said a supporter, while another beamed, “Why not celebrate joy everywhere we go?”

So, where does one draw the line between cultural pride and crowd disruption?
There’s no easy answer. But maybe next time, before you cue the DJ at a global landmark, ask: are we enhancing the experience or hijacking it?

Burj Khalifa isn’t the first landmark to get a surprise slice of India. Behold the global trail of Garba, Bollywood moves, and bridal twirls:

Mount Titlis, Switzerland
DDLJ nostalgia runs deep — Indian tourists in chiffon sarees recreate iconic movie scenes from Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol romance in sub-zero snow. Locals? Mostly bemused.

Times Square, NYC
From Navratri flash mobs to Independence Day jigs, Times Square has seen it all. Some cheer, others just want to get to Starbucks.

Singapore’s Marina Bay
Couples have twirled mid-wedding shoot, blocking public walkways with lehengas and fog machines. Security often steps in.

Mid-Air Bhangra
A wedding group once turned a flight into a dance floor at 30,000 feet. Viral, yes. But so were passenger complaints.