1.   It includes pilgrims carrying heavy crosses or marching on their knees as penitence or in gratitude for blessings they fervently believe she has bestowed upon them.

2.   An explosion on a heavily guarded Hindu pilgrimage route killed eight people, including three pilgrims, in the troubled province of Kashmir early Saturday, police said.

3.   For many years, the area was off limits to the public, including pilgrims, because Israel had laid down mines along its new frontier with Jordan.

4.   The revelers, including pilgrims from around the world, packed Manger Square and area alleys adorned with fluttering Palestinian flags and huge pictures of Arafat.

5.   Saudis spent some six billion dollars while foreigners, including Muslim pilgrims, paid the rest, he said.