Jammu, Aug. 18 -- Marking the commencement of the annual spiritual journey, lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha on Monday flagged off the first batch of devotees for the Budha Amarnath Yatra from the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas base camp here.

Sinha extended his warm wishes to all pilgrims for a safe and spiritually fulfilling pilgrimage.

The shrine of Budha Amarnath is located in Mandi tehsil of Poonch district, south of Pir Panjal.

The LG expressed appreciation to the Baba Amarnath and Budha Amarnath Yatri Nyas along with VHP and Bajrang Dal, local authorities, langar organisations and civil society groups for their coordination and comprehensive arrangements ensuring the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage and the Budha Amarnath Ji Mela.

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