Lucknow, Nov 12: The first batch of Haj pilgrims left by special flights for Jeddah in Saudi Arabia here on Sunday.

Chairman of Uttar Pradesh Haj Committee, Naseemuddin Siddiqui and several other ministers reached Amausi airport in Lucknow to see-off the pilgrims this morning, officials said.

All the pilgrims, who had arrived at the Haj house here on Saturday, boarded the special Air India flight, officials added.

Special arrangements have been made for the stay of pilgrims, including a control room has been set up for information about flights, at the Haj House.

Simultaneously, pilgrims from Srinagar and Patna also left for the Muslim's holy place.

Haj is one of the five tenants of Islam and the Holy Quran directs the faithful to undertake it at least once in a lifetime.

"I pray to the Almighty that all Kashmiris get to go to Haj at least once in their lifetime. May God fulfil all their wishes and peace be restored in the Valley, " said Sayed Farhat, a pilgrim in Kashmir.

Every year more than 70,000 pilgrims from India visit the Muslim's holy place. Over two million pilgrims undertake the journey each year from all over the world.

The Haj involves weeklong celebrations and takes place nearly 70 days after the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

About 110,000 pilgrims will be covered under the government subsidy scheme during the Haj operations this year.

The total cost of operation for Haj 2007 is estimated to be around Rs. 519 crores (Rs. 5.19 billion). (ANI)