Odisha, Oct 3 (ANI): Tourists thronged to participate in the traditional celebrations and rituals of the Hindu festival of nine nights, Navratri, in Odisha. In Bhubaneshwar, devotees thronged decorated pandals, temporary platforms, where the idol of Hindu goddess Durga is installed and sought her blessings. At the Dream Odisha, 2014, an event organised by the city-based Odisha International Centre, thirty districts from all around the state had gathered to offer their prayers to Durga and indulge in dance and merry-making. The coordinator of the organisation, Paresh Nayak said that events like these give push to the tourism in the state. People at the event performed a traditional Indian dance called dandiya, which is played with two baton-like sticks. Though the dance form is not originally from the state, it is popular in Odisha as well as other Indian states during these nine days. Navratri is celebrated with great enthusiasm and people drench into the music of Garba for nine-long-days, representing the nine manifestations of Goddess Durga.