Starting before day break, the more than 1.6 million Muslims taking part in the pilgrimage threw seven stones at each of three concrete walls symbolising the devil in the Mina valley, on the outskirts of the holy city of Mecca. 

The end of the hajj coincides with the beginning of Eid-ul-Azha -- an annual feasting holiday marked by the slaughter of an animal -- typically a goat, sheep, cow, bull or camel. 

The ritual commemorates Abraham's stoning of the devil at the three spots where it is said Satan tried to dissuade him from obeying God's order to sacrifice his son.