A main road to southern Tehran leading to the holy shrine of Abdol Azim al-Hassani (AS) in Rey was blocked to motorists to allow the packed crowd to go on the pilgrimage on foot.
People from different walks of life have taken part in the grand religious procession by walking a 13 kilometer route from the Imam Hussein (AS) Square to the holy shrine.
More than 2,200 pavilions along the route provide people food, beverage, accommodation and medical services.
Since a couple of years ago, Tehran residents, calling themselves those “left behind” (for not having had the opportunity to take part in the annual Arbaeen march in Iraq), walk long distances from different parts of Tehran to Rey on Arbaeen.
Arbaeen is a national holiday in Iran. It marks the 40th day after Ashura, the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (AS), the grandson of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), in 680 AD.
The Iraqi city of Karbala, which hosts the holy shrine of Imam Hussein (AS), has attracted millions of pilgrims, even non-Muslims, who create the world’s hugest human gathering in modern history.