Hundreds of thousands of this year's more than 1.8 million Muslim pilgrims performed the Hajj in the sweltering summer heat, culminating on the third day with the symbolic stoning of the devil and then the final circumambulation of the Kaaba, Islam's holiest site in Mecca.

Footage filmed on Wednesday shows thousands of pilgrims circumambulating the Kaaba carrying their sun umbrellas.

After performing the Farewell Tawaf or Tawaf Al-Wida, many pilgrims travel to Madinah to pray at the Prophet's Mosque and visit the city's many Islamic landmarks before returning home.

On Wednesday, Saudi Arabia announced that the Hajj season had been a success, despite the large number of pilgrims this year and the challenges posed by a deadly heat wave.

At least 550 pilgrims have died in the sweltering heat during the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, according to media reports.

Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Emir of Mecca and Vice Chairman of the Central Hajj Committee, announced that preparations for next year's Hajj will begin immediately.

For his part, the Saudi Minister of Health also highlighted the success of the health plans for this year's Hajj season and the fact that there were no outbreaks of disease or threats to public health.

The Hajj is a fundamental ritual of Islam, one of its five pillars, which requires physical and financial ability to perform due to its numerous rituals.