Millions of Muslims from all over the world have converged on Mecca in Saudi Arabia to partake in Islam's annual Hajj pilgrimage, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world.

In the coming days, people will immerse themselves in religious rituals and acts of worship that originated more than 1,400 years ago. Faithfuls attending this year's Hajj will have to contend with excess heat, a ban on children under the age of 12 and crackdown on unauthorized entry.

Here's a look at the pilgrimage and its significance to Muslims.

What is hajj?

Hajj is an annual religious pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca and is required of every physically and financially capable Muslim at least once in their lifetime. The journey takes faithfuls along a path traversed by the Prophet Muhammad some 1,

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