(VOVworld) – Hundreds of thousands of Muslims from around the globe began their hajj pilgrimage Tuesday.

Muslim pilgrims circle the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday. (Photo: usnews.com)

The hajj is the world's largest annual gathering. Muslim pilgrims will circle counterclockwise Islam’s holiest shrine, the Kaaba, at the Grand Mosque. The pilgrimage, which can last up to 2 months, begins 10 days after Ramadan ends. This year, Saudi Arabia expects to see 3 million pilgims.