New Delhi: The Saudi Arabian Government on Wednesday increased the quota of Indian pilgrims visiting Makkah and Madina by 34, 500 for 2017.

The decision came after Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Muhammad Saleh Benten signed an agreement at Jeddah today.

Millions of Muslims from more than 150 countries gather in the Saudi Arabian city of Makkah on the annual Hajj pilgrimage of the Islamic faith.

The Hajj is the fifth of the fundamental Muslim practices and institutions known as the five pillars of Islam. Pilgrimage is made to the Kaaba, found in the sacred city of Makkah, whose sanctity rests in that the Prophet Ibrahim built it for the worship of God.  God rewarded him by attributing the House to himself, in essence honoring it, and by making it the devotional epicenter to which all Muslims face when offering their prayers.  The rites of pilgrimage are performed exactly as was done  by Ibrahim, and after him by Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon them.

With inputs from ANI