Jammu, Aug 2: The annual Buddha Amarnath yatra commenced today as the first batch of 250 pilgrims left for the Himalayan shrine of Lord Shiva in border district of Poonch.
 Escorted by security, 250 pilgrims including 56 women and 10 children led by Baba Amarnath Niyas president Surinder Aggrawal left in a cavalcade of vehicles from Jammu base camp at Bagwati Nagar to Poonch district today.
 The pilgrims were flagged off by the Divisional Commissioner Pawan Kotwal from Yatri Niwas base camp. Buddha Amarnath shrine is located in picturesque mountainous belt of Mandi area near Indo-Pak border in Poonch district.
 The yatra will conclude on August 13th - the day of Sharvan Purnima (Raksha Bandhan day).Kotwal said the yatra will give economic boost to the border belt of Rajouri and Poonch as pilgrims from various parts of the country come to Poonch Shrine.
 "The yatra is increasing every year. Security measures have been put in place for trouble free yatra," he said.He said the government is committed to give boost to pilgrim tourism in the state and efforts are being made to highlight various pilgrim places in the region.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 2 Aug 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 2 Aug 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 3 Aug 2011 00:00:00 IST