Ascending Mt. Arafat marks the culmination of the "largest Hajj in history."

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On Tuesday, millions of white-robed Muslim pilgrims visited Mount Arafat to pray before the culmination of what might be a record-breaking Hajj that was performed in the sweltering summer heat.

Massive congregations of the devout recited lines from the Holy Quran atop the rocky hilltop where the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) is said to have given his last sermon as dawn dawned.

The highest point of the yearly pilgrimage, one of Islam's five pillars, is the prayers at Arafat, which are required of every able-bodied Muslim adult who has the financial wherewithal to take part.

As Hajj is performed for the first time since the elimination of COVID-19 limitations, officials predict that the masses of pilgrims will break attendance records.

More than 2.5 million pilgrims were anticipated to participate in the Hajj, one of the greatest religious gatherings in the world and a source of legitimacy for the royal rulers of the oil-rich nation.

On Monday, temperatures reached 46 degrees celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit) when robed worshippers travelled from Makkah to Mina, where they spent the night in a massive tent city before performing the rituals at Mount Arafat.

Tasneem Gamal, an Egyptian schoolteacher, claimed that she was emotionally exhausted upon reaching Arafat, whose rites constitute a necessary component of the trip.

The 35-year-old lady added, "I am living a great joy; I cannot describe my feelings."

Gamal is completing the Hajj without a male guardian after the Saudi government delayed the need until 2021.

A maximum age restriction has also been eliminated this year, allowing thousands more older people to participate.

The largest physical obstacle comes on Tuesday, when pilgrims must endure hours of intense heat while praying and reading the Koran on Mount Arafat and in the surrounding region.

Air-conditioned housing is hard to find, unlike Makkah, which is filled with hotels and shopping centres, and Mina's tent city.

Back in Makkah's Grand Mosque, they will make one more lap around the Kaaba, the enormous black cube that Muslims all over the globe pray to each day.

The Hajj has seen several problems over the years, including militant assaults and devastating fires, so heat is not the only danger.

Up to 2,300 people were killed in a stampede in 2015. Major occurrences have not occurred since.

Ahmed Ahmadine, an American engineer, said he felt "blessed" to be able to participate in the pilgrimage before departing for Arafat.

The 37-year-old stated, "I try to concentrate on prayer for my family and friends.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."