Over two million Muslim pilgrims have gathered in Saudi Arabia to begin the yearly Hajj pilgrimage at Mecca, Islam's holiest site.
The crowd started the five-day ritual Sunday by walking counterclockwise around the Kaaba, the cube-shaped structure at the center of the Grand Mosque of Mecca.
Other rituals include drinking water from the Well of Zamzam, believed to have healing qualities, and performing a symbolic stoning of the devil in the city of Mina.
Saudi Arabia has spent billions of dollars on security and safety to help prevent deadly stampedes that have tainted rituals in recent years.