The ritual state Hajj pilgrims must enter before many rites linked to Eid al-Adha is ihram.
Ihram is a sacred state, not simply the name of the white clothing often associated with pilgrimage. Pilgrims enter it at or before a designated boundary called a miqat, make the intention for Hajj, and begin observing special rules. These include restrictions on perfume, hair cutting, nail trimming, hunting, and sexual activity.
Men generally wear two pieces of unstitched cloth, while women wear ordinary modest clothing that meets Islamic requirements. The simple dress symbolizes equality before God and helps distinguish pilgrimage from ordinary life. Ihram is also required for Umrah, the lesser pilgrimage, not only Hajj.
A common mix-up is confusing ihram with wudu. Wudu is a purification performed for prayer; ihram is the consecrated state for pilgrimage. Pilgrims leave ihram through a process called tahallul, usually involving hair shaving or trimming after key rites.