Saudi Arabia will perform the annual washing of the Holy Kaaba today in a centuries old ceremony that reflects the deep reverence Muslims hold for Islam’s holiest site.
The General Authority for the Care of the Two Holy Mosques will oversee every step of the event. According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the ceremony follows three stages: preparation, washing, and perfuming with incense.
On behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques..
The moment of the arrival of the Deputy Governor of Makkah to begin the rituals of washing the Kaaba and ascending into it pic.twitter.com/UimrMVN1Qw
— Inside the Haramain (@insharifain) June 30, 2026
Officials will begin by preparing a special mixture using 15 liters of Zamzam water, 15 liters of rose water, 15 liters of rose oil, and 100 milliliters of oud oil.
The authority said, “The three stages are preparation, washing, then perfuming and incense burning.”
It also said, “Each stage is carried out with great care and precision, reflecting the status of the Holy Kaaba and befitting its deep-rooted place in the hearts of Muslims.”
Sacred tradition continues
The washing ceremony takes place every year on the 15th of Muharram, shortly after Hajj. Islamic historians trace the tradition back to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who cleansed the Kaaba after the Conquest of Makkah.
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques sponsors the ceremony. Senior Saudi officials, religious scholars, diplomats, and invited guests usually attend.
🕋 Every year on 15 Muharram, the Holy Kaaba is washed in a deeply spiritual tradition that reflects centuries of reverence and care for Islam’s holiest site.
The Kaaba’s interior is cleansed with Zamzam water mixed with rosewater and fine fragrances, then perfumed with the… pic.twitter.com/jhBmE3akVj
— Saudi Expatriates (@saudiexpat) June 29, 2026
Workers open the golden door of the Kaaba before selected guests enter. They clean the interior walls and marble floor with cloths soaked in the scented mixture. Afterward, they dry the interior and apply premium perfumes and oud incense.
Saudi authorities prepare every material well before the ceremony. They also follow strict quality standards to ensure smooth arrangements for the globally significant event.
Ceremony holds deep spiritual significance
Millions of Muslims cannot enter the Kaaba, but they follow the annual ceremony through official photos and videos released by Saudi authorities.
The Kaaba stands at the center of Masjid al Haram in Makkah. Nearly two billion Muslims face it during their daily prayers. It also remains the focal point of Hajj and Umrah throughout the year.
The annual washing ceremony symbolizes purity, respect, and devotion. It also preserves a tradition that Muslims have cherished for generations.
