The Muslim hajj which begins on Tuesday in western Saudi Arabia is the world's largest annual event. Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims from around the world on Tuesday are gathering in Mina for the hajj.
The first day of hajj is known as Tarwiah Day, when pilgrims traditionally watered their animals and stocked water for their trip to Mount Arafat, about 10 kilometres (six miles) southeast of Mina. The climax of the hajj season is on Arafat Day, which falls on Wednesday.
With the start of hajj, pilgrims enter the stage of ihram -- a state of purity in which they must not wear perfume, cut their nails, or trim their hair or beards. Women must wear loose dresses exposing only their faces and hands.
During ihram, men wear a seamless two-piece shroud-like white garment, symbolising resurrection and emphasising unity regardless of social status or nationality.
Here are some figures illustrating its grandeur:
- Almost 1.4 million pilgrims from around the world have already arrived. A total of about two million, including hundreds of thousands from within the kingdom, are expected.
- The world's largest Muslim-populated nation, Indonesia, has sent more than 168,000 pilgrims.
- 80% of international pilgrims come in official hajj delegations from their countries. The other 20% come with tourism companies.
- About 100,000 police have been deployed to secure hajj, maintain safety of pilgrims, and manage traffic and crowds.
- The health ministry has mobilised 25,000 additional healthcare workers for hajj. To care for ailing pilgrims it has 5,000 beds, including 500 for intensive care.
There are eight "seasonal hospitals" which complement permanent medical facilities.
- 12 new plasma screens, each more than two metres (yards) wide, will broadcast messages to pilgrims outside the Grand Mosque, the Saudi Gazette reported.
- The Grand Mosque is being expanded by roughly 400,000 square metres (4.3-million-square-feet) which is the equivalent of more than 50 football pitches.
- The average spending for every pilgrim coming from abroad is between $4,600 to $5,000 during hajj season, according to Maher Jamal, chairman of the Mecca Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
- 740 fire hydrants and 800 taps are connected to a 100-kilometre water network, helping to ensure fire safety at Mina, where fireproof tents can accommodate 2.6 million pilgrims.
The pilgrims are following the 1,400-year-old tradition of the Prophet Mohammed. The hajj is among the five pillars of Islam and every capable Muslim must perform the pilgrimage at least once in their life.
Previously marred by stampedes and fires that killed hundreds, it had been largely incident-free for the past decade after safety improvements.
But on September 11, during severe winds, a construction crane toppled into a courtyard of Mecca's Grand Mosque. Saudis, Iranians, Nigerians, Malaysians, Indonesians and Indians were among the dead.
Authorities say they are on the alert for possible attacks by the extremist Islamic State group, which has carried out bombings targeting mosques in the kingdom in recent months.
Security forces have taken "measures to prevent terrorist groups from exploiting hajj season to carry out acts of sabotage," said interior ministry spokesman General Mansur al-Turki.
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