The Hajj is the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia
. Hajj to Mecca is a religious duty which must be carried out by every Muslim at least once in their lifetime. The Islamic pilgrimage is the fifth pillar of Islam besides faith, prayer, fasting and charity. The Hajj is a demonstration of the solidarity of the Muslim people and their submission to Allah.
Pilgrims from all around the world of different language gather together and join processions of hundreds of thousands of people who simultaneously converge on Mecca for the week of the Hajj. The Hajj occurs from the 8th to 12th day of Dhu al-Hijjah which is the 12th and the last month of the Islamic calendar. Hajj to Mecca by pilgrims is done in the last month of Islamic calendar and this way the date of Hajj changes year to year. The hajj is associated with Prophet Mohammad in the 7th century.
Pilgrims generally travel Hajj to Mecca in groups and as an expression of unity. Special packages are offered to Muslims by airlines , hotels, guide etc. pilgrims have to enter a sacred state called Ihram and perform rituals like cleansing and wearing the prescribed attire which is a garment consisting of two sheets of white unhemmed cloth for men pilgrims and women pilgrims simply required to maintain their hijab.
Two millions pilgrims participated in the year 2009 in the Hajj to Mecca. A few rituals have been stylized for pilgrims safety so that they wont be trampled in a crush. Stone throwing rituals have been modified, slaughtering by appointing others etc. Umrah which can be done throughout the year is a lesser pilgrimage and a pilgrim is still obligated to perform the hajj in some point of his life. Pilgrims sacrifice the animals and celebrate the festival Eid al-Adha. They get zamzam water which has a significant and historic importance.