RIYADH: The first group of Hajj pilgrims from Kerala reached Mecca on Thursday. They reached Mecca via Jeddah under a private Hajj group. They arrived at the Jeddah Hajj Terminal via Qatar on an Indigo flight from Kozhikode. The group consists of 49 pilgrims, including women. They landed at the terminal at 3.30 am and reached Mecca at 8.30 am.

They were given a reception by various Malayalee voluntary organizations. 79,362 pilgrims from India have been given the opportunity to perform Hajj this time. Of these, 56,601 are through the Indian Hajj Committee and 22,761 are private. Pilgrimages are also done through Hajj groups.

Those arriving via the Hajj Committee arrived in Mecca after an eight-day visit to Medina. On the other hand, those who come through private agencies go to Medina only after reaching Mecca.