Hundreds of thousands of Muslim pilgrims gather to cast stones at one of three huge stone pillars in Mina, 30 Dec 2006

More than two million Muslim pilgrims on the ritual journey known as Hajj are Saturday performing a ritual stoning ceremony in Mina, Saudi Arabia.

Millions of people crowded into the holy site to throw small stones at walls called jamarat, as part of a ritual representing the symbolic stoning of the devil.

More than 360 worshippers died in a stampede during the stoning ritual a year ago. Saudi authorities have spent more than $1 billion renovating the site to make it safe.

The Hajj began Thursday under heavy security. The grueling ritual is a duty for every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to make the trip.

Each year pilgrims wearing white robes, symbolizing equality, converge on Islamic holy sites in Saudi Arabia for five days of rituals, prayer and communion with fellow Muslims.

Some information for this report was provided by Reuters.