Muslim pilgrims circle the Kaaba and pray during Tawaf al-Ifada, on the day of slaughtering after Arafat day, at the Grand Mosque on the first day of Eid al-Adha in the holy city of Mecca. Muslims around the world celebrate Eid al-Adha to mark the end of the haj pilgrimage by slaughtering sheep, goats, camels and cows to commemorate Prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son, Ismail, on God's command.Reuters 
The holy Kaaba at the Grand Mosque on Eid al-Adha in the holy city of Mecca.Reuters 
Muslim pilgrims pray around the holy Kaaba at the Grand Mosque, during the annual haj pilgrimage in Mecca.Reuters 
A Muslim pilgrim reads the Koran on Mount Mercy on the plains of Arafat during the annual haj pilgrimage, outside the holy city of Mecca.Reuters 
Muslim pilgrims touch a rock atop Mount Mercy on the plains of Arafat.Reuters 
Muslim pilgrims perform Friday prayers around Namirah mosque on the plains of Arafat outside the holy city of Mecca.Reuters 
Muslim pilgrims pray on Mount Mercy on the plains of ArafatReuters 
Muslim pilgrims walk on a bridge as they head to cast stones at pillars symbolizing Satan during the final day of the annual haj pilgrimage in Mina on the third day of Eid al-Adha, near the holy city of MeccaReuters 
Muslim pilgrims cast stones at pillars symbolizing SatanReuters 
Muslim pilgrims shave their heads after casting seven stones at a pillar that symbolizes Satan during the annual Haj pilgrimage, as part of a Haj pilgrimage rite, on the second day of Eid al-Adha in Mina, near the holy city of MeccaReuters
Once in a lifetime, Muslim pilgrims perform the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. More than two million pilgrims, who are capable of executing it, physically and financially, gather from all over the world for the five-day spiritual journey.
The journey is meant to ward off all their sins and they wear white robes as a sign of equality before the Almighty.
In Mecca, pilgrims perform the rituals by walking counter-clockwise seven times around the holy Kaaba or the cube, a granite stonework, that is believed to be placed by Abraham and Ishmael. The devotees also drink the holy water from the Zamzam Well.
As a part of the ritual, they even throw stones at three pillars that symbolise Satan. After the stoning, the devotees shave their heads and perform animal sacrifice.
While praying at Mount Arafat they chant "Labayk, Allahuma, labayk," — "Here I am, God, answering your call. Here I am."
After their Mecca journey, some pilgrims pay a visit to Medina city as well.
Check the above slideshow for Hajj pilgrimage pictures
