The Arabic name for the lesser pilgrimage to Mecca is Umrah.
Umrah is a pilgrimage to the Kaaba and other sacred sites in Mecca that may be performed at any time of year. Its core rites include entering ihram, performing tawaf around the Kaaba, and completing sa’i between Safa and Marwa, followed by cutting or shaving hair.
Unlike hajj, Umrah is not confined to the specific days of Dhu al-Hijjah. It can therefore be performed during Ramadan or at other times, although performing Umrah during Ramadan is traditionally regarded as especially meritorious.
Umrah is often called the lesser pilgrimage because it has fewer prescribed rites and a more flexible time frame than hajj. The two pilgrimages share several rituals but are not interchangeable terms.