New Delhi, May 28 -- The spiritual crescendo of the Islamic calendar is underway as Saudi Arabia has officially sighted the crescent moon, marking the beginning of Dhul Hijjah 1446 and announced the final dates of Hajj and Eid ul-Adha or Eid-ul-Azha (also known as Bakra Eid, Bakrid, Bakhreid, Eid-ul-Zuha, Eid al-Adha, Eid Qurban, Qurban Bayarami or the Feast of Sacrifice) this year. Hajj is the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Kaaba, the "House of God", in the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia and it is considered one of the five pillars of Islam.

It is an obligation for all able-bodied and financially capable Muslims to perform Hajj at least once in their lifetime. During Hajj, millions of Muslims from around the world gather in Mecca to f...