Hajj, the religious pilgrimage performed in ritual stages in and around the holy city of Mecca (Makka), is required of Muslims at least once during their lifetimes. It is the largest annual gathering of human beings on earth, with approximately three million people gathering each year for three to five days between the eighth and 12th of Dhul-Hijjah, the last month of the Muslim calendar. The pilgrimage has been occurring annually since 630 CE when the prophet Muhammad led his followers from Medina to Mecca. also read Just by writing a chit in this ‘Bell Temple’ all problems can be resolved The great pilgrimage called the Hajj (Arabic for "pilgrimage") is significant for a number of reasons. First and probably most important, it is a time when approximately three million or more Muslims come together, mixing across lines of ethnicity, nationality, sect, and gender. Second, the pilgrimage was initiated by the Prophet Muhammad himself, who is said to have been sent with 1,400 of his followers on the pilgrimage to celebrate one of the founding myths of the Abrahamic religions. Third, one of the stops—the Plains of Arafat—is where Muhammad gave his farewell sermon. In the modern pilgrimage, the Hajj pilgrims begin arriving by air, sea, and land during the days and weeks prior to the pilgrimage period. They usually arrive into Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the major port city closest to Mecca (about 45 miles away). From there they travel with their Hajj group to Mecca; many if not most travelers come with an official package group. As they approach Mecca, they stop at one of the designated areas to shower and change clothing, entering into a state of devotion and purity (Ihram) for the pilgrimage. Men must wear two lengths of white cloth without seams (one wrapped around their shoulders and a second one around their waists). Women can wear regular clothing as long as it is clean and modest, with veils covering their heads but not their faces. also read Amazing! All your wishes fulfill just by seeing this Lamplight by 1 Minute For the next three days, participants must not smoke, swear, shave, cut their nails, or have sex. Fighting and arguments are banned, and participants are prohibited from hunting or killing anything. All must avoid scented cologne, perfume, makeup, and soaps.