The greatest gathering on Earth: Three million Muslims attend annual hajj pilgrimage as Eid holiday gets under way

Three million Muslim pilgrims today symbolically stoned Satan in a valley near the Saudi Arabian holy city of Mina - part of the last, and most dangerous, rite of the annual hajj.

In previous years the sheer number of people swirling around the pillars has led to stampedes - with 244 people killed in 2004 and 360 fatally injured the following year.

Saudi authorities subsequently built the current concrete complex to reduce the danger, and have so far not reported any injuries from this year's event.

Annual: Vast crowds cast pebbles as they flowed past the three pillars, on the same day as the start of the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha

Ritual: Saudi Arabian police control the crowds as they arrive to throw pebbles at pillars during the Jamarat ritual, the stoning of Satan, in Mina

Vast crowds cast pebbles as they flowed past the three pillars, on the same day as the start of the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha.

The ritual in the desert valley commemorates Abraham's stoning of the devil, who is said to have appeared three times to the prophet to tempt him.

Male pilgrims in two-piece seamless white robes, and women covered head to foot except for their hands and faces, chanted 'God is great' while casting the pebbles.

Crowded: Pilgrims pelted pillars symbolising the devil with pebbles to show their defiance on the third day of the hajj as Muslims worldwide marked the Eid al-Adha holy day with mass animal sacrifices

Lethal: In previous years the sheer number of people swirling around the pillars has led to stampedes - with 244 people killed in 2004 and 360 fatally injured the following year

Pilgrims later shaved their heads or clipped off a lock of hair, a tradition dating back to the Prophet Muhammad's own pilgrimage.

They are also required to slaughter a lamb or goat, representing the lamb that Abraham sacrificed in the place of his son Ishmael. Pilgrims are allowed to arrange for this to be done in a different location or in their own countries.

Today also marks the start of Eid al-Adha, in remembrance of Abraham's near-sacrifice of his son.

Stunning: Hundreds of thousands of Muslims piligrims prayed at Mecca's Grand Mosque last week as they arrived to take part in the hajj