Hyderabad, Sep 4 (IANS): Haj pilgrims from Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and parts of Karnataka will fly to Saudi Arabia by 18 flights from Sep 14.

Nearly 6,000 pilgrims from the three states will leave for Jeddah in the special Haj flights of Saudi Airlines to be operated till Sep 22.

While pilgrims from Telangana will fly by the first 10 flights, the next four flights will carry pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh.

According to S.A. Shukoor, special officer of the state Haj committee, pilgrims from Bidar, Gulberga and Raichur districts of Karnataka will leave by three flights.

The last flight will carry pilgrims from Hyderabad and Kadapa.

Of 6,126 pilgrims from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh selected for Haj, 495 cancelled their journey due to various reasons.

Of the remaining 5,631 pilgrims, 5,208 will leave from the Hyderabad embarkation point, and 432 pilgrims from Chittoor and Anantapur districts of Andhra Pradesh will fly from Bangalore.

Haj pilgrims from the three states will gather at the Haj House here, where customs, luggage and immigration facilities will be provided.

This is the first Haj season after bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. Unlike many other organisations, the Haj committee has not been bifurcated and the existing arrangement is likely to continue for few years.

Over 1.36 lakh Indian pilgrims are expected to perform Haj this year. The Haj rituals will begin in the first week of October.