Jammu, July 28 -- Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday flagged off the first batch of pilgrims embarking on the Budha Amarnath Yatra from Jammu, marking the formal commencement of the annual pilgrimage to the revered shrine of Lord Shiva in Jammu and Kashmir.

Speaking on the sidelines of the flag-off event, LG Sinhda said, "More than a thousand people have just set out for the Budha Amarnath Yatra. The Jammu and Kashmir administration has made excellent arrangements for the Amarnath Yatra."

Swami Budha Amarnath Ji mandir is situated between the main belt of Pir Panchal Range at Rajpura Mandi, which is 25 km to the northeast of Poonch city.

He also stated that there has been a "significant increase" in provisions ...