India, May 29 -- Climate change and rising temperatures are altering the pattern of the annual Islamic pilgrimage, Hajj, a new study has revealed.

Hajj, one of the holiest pilgrimages in Islam, is held every year in Saudi Arabia - one of the world's most arid regions - and marks one of the largest religious gatherings globally.

According to reports, this year's pilgrimage took place amid scorching temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius.

A study by the Britain-based World Weather Attribution group found that temperatures in Saudi Arabia are rising earlier in the year and reaching increasingly dangerous extremes. The study warned that the pilgrimage is becoming more hazardous not only during the peak summer months - when more than 1,3...