Hajj pilgrims begin ‘stoning of the devil’ ritual as Muslims mark Eid Al Adha

Nearly 300,000 pilgrims an hour can carry out the ritual, which involves casting stones at three pillars

A Hajj pilgrim performs the symbolic 'stoning of the devil' ritual. EPA

After spending the previous night camped out in the open air in Muzdalifah, Hajj pilgrims made their way back to Mina and Makkah on Sunday to perform the final rites of the pilgrimage, one of which is the "stoning of the devil" ritual.

Hajj pilgrims returned to the Grand Mosque in Makkah from the Muzdalifah plains early on Sunday to perform Eid Al Adha prayers and start the rites of Jamarat.

The ritual involves casting stones at three pillars that symbolise the devil. On the first day of Eid, pilgrims throw small pebbles or stones, gathered in Muzdalifah, at the Great Aqaba column.

Pilgrims will walk in crowds through a multilevel structure housing three pillars symbolising the devil.

The ritual symbolises the experience of the Prophet Ibrahim, who the devil tried to dissuade from obeying God’s order to sacrifice his son, Ismail.

The ritual will continue over the next two days, before pilgrims perform the final Tawaf – the circumambulation of the Kaaba at the Grande Mosque – to complete their Hajj.

Eid Al Adha is marked by prayers and the sacrifice of a sheep, goat or cow by those who can afford it, with the meat shared among family members and with the poor.

Muslims believe the Prophet Ibrahim was commanded by God to sacrifice his son, Ismail, but God spared him and sent a ram in his place.

The Jamarat Bridge is almost 1km long and allows for nearly 300,000 pilgrims an hour to carry out the ritual. There are 28 escalators in each of the 11 towers in the structure of the main bridge, as well as 20 in the two exits.

Saudi officials built the structure with plans to host six million pilgrims by 2030.

Hajj authorities have advised pilgrims to avoid staying at the site for too long and to proceed back to their tents, to allow others to carry out the ritual.

When the rite is completed on Sunday, pilgrims will cut or trim their hair. Male pilgrims are advised to shave their heads before the animal sacrifice, which is part of Eid. Pilgrims will return two more times over Eid to continue the stoning ritual, or can have someone perform it on their behalf.