Annual five-day Haj pilgrimage begins today

The annual five-day Haj pilgrimage commences today as millions of Muslims from across the world begin their journey from the holy city of Mecca to assemble in tent-city of Mina in Saudi Arabia. 

They will spend the night there and move towards plains of Arafat at dawn tomorrow for the day's main ritual of Haj-reciting prayers.



The pilgrims will spend the day there praying and asking for God's forgiveness.

For the first time since independence, a record number of 2 lakh pilgrims from India are performing Haj this year. More than 2340  Indian women pilgrims have gone there without Mehram or male guardian.