BHUBANESWAR: Odisha Tourism Development Corporation, a state owned PSU, will organise a three-day long Dandiya Dance programme from October 5 to celebrate Navaratra and Durga Puja.
OTDC Chairperson Sreemayi Kar told newsmen here the Corporation took the decision following suggestions from tourists visiting the state.
The programme would start at six in the evening and continue till ten at the premises of Panthanivas Bhubaneswar. She said that renowned professional dancers, singers from Ollywood and eminent anchors have been roped in to make the programme a grand success.
The corporation, she said, had also made provision to provide snacks, delicious dinner (Odia cuisine) at a cost of Rs 699 for single and Rs1299 for duet per evening.
Some interesting games have also been arranged for the entertainment of the visitors and lucky draw every evening. The winners of the lucky draw can stay in any Panthanivas for two days free of cost.
Kar said the main objective of the dance programme is to attract more tourists to the state and to give a platform to the tourists as well as the local people to celebrate Navarata Mahasaptami and Maha Asthami.
She said the corporation has started selling tickets on line for the dandiya dance programme a week back and so far 45 per cent of the tickets have been sold.
She said OTDC is organising the event for the first time in Panthanivas this year. If succeeded, it would be replicated in other Panthanivases of the state considering their rate of occupancy and demand.
OTDC Managing Director Nirmal Chandra Mishra said 1.52 crore tourists had visited the state last year. This year the footfall was little less after the state was battered by severe cyclonic storm Fani.