Nearly three million Muslim pilgrims were performing the final rituals of the hajj on Tuesday as the world’s largest annual gathering neared its close without major incident.

Nearly three million Muslim pilgrims were performing the final rituals of the hajj on Tuesday as the world's largest annual gathering neared its close without major incident.

The rite of the annual hajj proceeded peacefully as pilgrims rushed to throw 21 stones at pillars that symbolize the devil in the village of Mina, the last rite of the annual pilgrimage.

In previous years, hundreds of people have been trampled to death in stampedes triggered by crowds trying to get close to the pillars to take their vengeance on the symbol of the devil.

To complete the ritual, pilgrims must stone the three pillars said to symbolize the devil, also referred to as Ibleess by Muslims. The largest of the pillars is Jamrat al-Aqaba, at 30 meters (100 feet).

The ritual is an emulation of Prophet Ibrahim's stoning of the devil at the three spots where he is said to have appeared trying to dissuade him from obeying God's order to sacrifice his son, Ismael.

Pilgrims then make their way to Mecca's Great Mosque for a "farewell visit" to the Kaaba, Islam's most sacred relic.

Pilgrims who are in a hurry will leave Tuesday, after they finish their stoning rituals and the farewell circumambulation of the Kaaba. Others stay for a further day.

For the first time this year, the hajj is being streamed live on YouTube in cooperation with the Saudi government. The stream can be seen at youtube.com/hajjlive.