Jammu, July 2 -- Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday flagged off the first batch of pilgrims for the Shri Amarnath Yatra, which begins today.

Before the flag-off, LG Sinha offered prayers at the Yatri Niwas base camp in Jammu. As the pilgrims departed, chants of 'Har Har Mahadev' and 'Bam Bam Bhole' filled the air.

Reacting to the start of the Amarnath Yatra, BJP leader Sat Sharma said, "Thousands of devotees have come here for Baba Amarnath Darshan. Just two months ago, a different environment was created, but today we can see how the devotees are raising Baba Bhole's slogans. The people have faith that they are in safe hands."

A devotee named Shalu, who is part of the first batch, said she was happy with th...