Holy Kaaba given bath
World
Pakistan's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and envoys of other Muslim countries also attend ceremony
MAKKAH (Web Desk) - The spiritual ceremony of bathing the Kaaba began in Makkah and the door of the Holy Kaaba was opened to perform the sacred ritual.
The key-bearer of the Holy Kaaba Al-Sheikh doctor Saleh Al-Zain opened the door of Baitullah Sharif.
The Deputy Governor of Makkah Prince Badr Bin Sultan, who is representing the custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Salman Bin Abdulaziz washed the interior of the Holy Kaaba.
Imams and Haramin Sharifin administrative affairs authorities were also present on the occasion. Pakistan's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and envoys of other Muslim countries also attended the ceremony.
The bathing was performed with Zamzam and rose water. After the bathing Kaaba Sharif will be perfumed with fine fragrances like pure OOD, rose water and incense. The Kaaba washing is an elaborate tradition which takes place twice a year.
The Kaaba is washed from the inside using 45 liters of scented Zamzam water. Usually the door of the Kaaba is opened for the washing right after dawn prayers. The walls of the Kaaba from inside are three meters high and the ceiling is covered with green silken cloth.
The Maqame-e-Ibrahim, where the footprints of Prophet Ibrahim (R.A) are imprinted, is also washed. It takes usually four hours to clean it from inside and outside.
