Over two million Muslim pilgrims have gathered in Saudi Arabia to begin the yearly Hajj pilgrimage at Mecca, Islam's holiest site.<br /> The crowd started the five-day ritual Sunday by walking counterclockwise around the Kaaba, the cube-shaped structure at the center of the Grand Mosque of Mecca.<br />Other rituals include drinking water from the Well of Zamzam, believed to have healing qualities, and performing a symbolic stoning of the devil in the city of Mina.<br />Saudi Arabia has spent billions of dollars on security and safety to help prevent deadly stampedes that have tainted rituals in recent years. <br />
