India, April 18 -- Tears, prayers, and heartfelt hopes filled the air at Haj House Bemina here on Saturday morning as Kashmir's first batch of Haj pilgrims prepared to depart for Saudi Arabia.

The departure marked the beginning of the Valley's annual spiritual journey to Islam's holiest sites, with families bidding an emotional farewell to their loved ones embarking on the sacred pilgrimage.

From the early hours, hundreds of family members gathered at the busiest Haj House premises in Srinagar to bid farewell to their kith and kin and friends chosen this year for the pilgrimage.

Some embraced in silence, others raised their hands in prayer, while many struggled to contain emotion as departure time drew near.

The atmosphere was charge...