SUKKUR, Sept 27: The 411th annual Urs of Hazrat Khairuddin Shah Jillani popularly known as Jeay Shah Badshah started at his shrine in Old Sukkur on Saturday.

Thousands of devotees from all over the province, Balochistan and Punjab have converged on the shrine to attend the Urs celebrations, which consist of Mehfil-i-Maulood, Mehfil-i-Mushaira and distribution of Langar among the participants. The Urs runs for two days 26th and 27th of Ramazan.

The Urs’ specialty is serving meals among the participants on the 26th of holy month at the time of Iftar and at the time of Sehri on the 27th of Ramazan.

Khairuddin Shah was born to Hazrat Ameer Ahmed Shah Jillani in Baghdad (Iraq) in 911 Hijri (1505) and was related to Pir Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jillani.

He remained in Baghdad till the age of 40 and took education in the sciences of Quran, Hadith, Persian, Tafseer and other religious sciences from his father Ameer Ahmed Shah Jillani and other saints of his time.

He left Baghdad at the age of 40 and went to Makkah where he preached Islam for about 12 years and then spent 14 years in Madina.

During his stay in Makkah and Madina, Khairuddin Shah performed Hajj many times and not only preached Islam but also sought further knowledge of religion and then left Saudi Arabia at the age of 66 and came to Sindh.

Khairuddin Shah Jillani set his foot in Bulri Shah Karim and passed some days with Shah Abdul Karim before arriving in Bakhar (now known as Old Sukkur) and passed his remaining life there.

Khairuddin Shah made his abode at a hill, now situated in front of the Civil Hospital and spent his time praising Allah Almighty. Over the years the hill came be known as “The hill of Shah Saheb” as a mark of reverence for the godly man.

Later, Khairuddin Shah shifted to Pirzada Muhalla on the advice of his followers, where his shrine is situated now. The then governor of Bakhar Shah Qulli Khan gave his daughter Bibi Aisha to Khairuddin Shah in marriage.

Khairuddin Shah breathed his on Ramazan 27th after Teraveeh prayers in 1017 Hijri (1611) at the age of 106 years.