Over a million Muslims have begun the once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage, Hajj, on Wednesday in Saudi Arabia's Mecca, as additional measures are taken to contend with this year's sweltering heat, expected to exceed 40 degrees Celsius.
Over the span of five days, Muslim pilgrims - who can afford it and are physically fit - will immerse themselves in religious rituals that originated more than 1,400 years ago.
