Every year on the 15th of Muharram, the Masjid Al Haram in Makkah hosts a deeply significant ritual: the ceremonial washing of the Holy Kaaba. Representing the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz led this year’s proceedings. The process is a meticulously planned event that honors the sanctity of Islam’s holiest site, utilizing a precise blend of Zamzam water, premium Taifi rose water, musk, and high-quality oud oil to purify the interior walls, pillars, and floors.

The ritual is carried out in distinct stages, starting with the careful lifting of the Kiswah—the ornate black covering of the Kaaba—to protect it during the cleaning process. Officials use specialized cloths to cleanse the structure before finishing with generous applications of incense and rare perfumes. To facilitate access, a custom-built teak staircase is employed; this impressive structure is not only a functional tool for entry but also a marvel of engineering, equipped with its own lighting, cooling systems, and specialized storage tanks to ensure the ceremony is conducted with the utmost care and traditional precision.