Events Happening in Ludhiana This Month

TL;DR

• Chhapar Mela returns to Chhapar village this September — one of the Malwa belt's biggest fairs
• Jagran Film Festival screens international and Indian cinema at Nexus MBD Neopolis Mall, October 2–4
• Daresi Ground hosts Punjab's tallest Ravana effigy for Dussehra on October 20 🎆
• Saras Mela at PAU Grounds brings artisans and folk performers from across India in October
• Navratri sees Garba and Dandiya nights open across the city's residential areas

September: Chhapar Mela Opens the Season

Before October's festival calendar fills up, September brings one of the most distinct events in the Ludhiana district — Chhapar Mela. Held every year in Chhapar village in the Dehlon block of Ludhiana district, the fair honours Gugga Veer, a folk hero revered across the Malwa belt as a warrior-saint and protector against serpents. The venue is Gugge di Marhi, the shrine built in his memory at Chhapar.

The mela runs across three days, timed to Anand Chaudas — the 14th day of the bright fortnight of Bhadon in the Hindu calendar. In 2026 that places it in September. What started around 150 years ago as a local gathering has grown into a multi-lakh attendance event drawing visitors from across Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh.

The fairgrounds fill with food stalls, crafts, folk music, and traditional games. One specific tradition that defines this mela: devotees dig into the earth with their hands seven times — symbolising calling Gugga Veer up from the ground to protect them. You will not see that ritual at any other fair on the calendar.

October 2–4: Jagran Film Festival at Nexus MBD Neopolis Mall

The Jagran Film Festival (JFF) arrives in Ludhiana for its 2026 edition on October 2, running through October 4 at the Cinepolis screens inside Nexus MBD Neopolis Mall. JFF is among the larger travelling international film festivals in India, covering 14 cities in its 2026 run.

The Ludhiana chapter typically screens a mix of international award circuit films and Hindi-language films that did not get wide theatrical runs. Screenings run through the afternoon and evening on all three days. Entry is free for a number of shows, with some special screenings on a pass system. Check the JFF schedule page and the Nexus MBD Neopolis booking counter from late September for the Ludhiana programme.

For anyone who wants thoughtful cinema outside the mainstream multiplex grid, this three-day window is useful. Past editions of JFF have screened films from Cannes, Berlin, and the National Awards selection.

October 11–20: Navratri Garba and Dandiya Nights

Navratri 2026 runs October 11 to 20 in Ludhiana. The city's Garba and Dandiya scene is not as centralised as Gujarat's but the residential clusters across Sarabha Nagar, BRS Nagar, Gurdev Nagar, and the Civil Lines belt all develop their own neighbourhood events. Local organisers set up grounds with sound systems, lighting, and dandiya sticks for sale.

The final two nights — October 18 and 19 — tend to draw the most participants, with events running later. Commercial Dandiya nights with ticketed entry also appear on the calendar closer to October. Many are family-oriented and welcome children.

October 20: Dussehra at Daresi Ground

The oldest and most iconic Dussehra celebration in Ludhiana happens at Daresi Ground. In 2026 the event is set to feature the tallest Ravana effigy in Punjab — a 121-foot structure prepared by a team from Agra. This is not just a larger-than-usual effigy: Daresi's tradition is to burn the three effigies in Ramayana sequence, not simultaneously. Meghnad goes first, then Kumbhkarna, and finally Ravana — in the order they fell in the epic.

The day after Dussehra brings Bharat Milap at the same ground, marking Lord Ram's reunion with his brother Bharat. This post-Dussehra ceremony is specific to Daresi and distinguishes the venue from other celebration grounds in the city.

The crowd at Daresi on Dussehra is substantial — plan for heavy footfall from the afternoon onward. The nearest approach roads get congested from late afternoon. Walking in from a nearby parking point is a practical option.

October: Saras Mela at PAU Grounds

The Regional Saras Mela at the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) Grounds is a 10-day fair that typically runs in early to mid-October. It is a Ministry of Rural Development initiative that brings Self Help Group artisans, weavers, potters, and food producers from across India to a single venue.

For Ludhiana residents, PAU Grounds is one of the better shopping destinations of the year for handloom textiles, pottery, organic food products, and folk craft. The 2025 edition ran October 4–13; a similar window is expected in 2026. Live folk performances are a regular part of the programme on most evenings.

Insider Tip: Daresi Ground on Dussehra is most comfortable if you arrive by 5 PM and claim a standing spot in the outer ring. The effigy burning sequence starts after full dark, so there is a long wait — bring something to eat and stay near the eastern edge of the ground where the crowd thins slightly and the view of the taller Ravana effigy is unobstructed.

FAQ

Q: When is Chhapar Mela 2026? The exact date is determined by the Hindu calendar (Anand Chaudas, Bhadon). It falls in September 2026 — watch for announcements from the Ludhiana district administration and local news sources from August onwards.

Q: Where is Daresi Ground? Daresi Ground (also spelled Dresi/Daresi) is a well-known open ground in Ludhiana, used for the city's main Dussehra event. It is in the central city area and is accessible by auto-rickshaw and bus.

Q: Are Jagran Film Festival screenings free? JFF offers free admission for many of its shows. Some special screenings or opening ceremonies require passes. The Ludhiana programme will be confirmed by the JFF website and Nexus MBD Neopolis booking counter from late September.

Q: Is Saras Mela open every day? Yes, the Saras Mela typically runs continuously from opening day to the last day (around 10 days), with stalls open through the afternoon and evening. Entry is generally free or carries a nominal gate charge.

Q: What should I know before going to Chhapar Mela? The mela draws very large crowds. Roads into Chhapar village — about 12–15 km from central Ludhiana — become congested during peak days. Shared vehicles and buses are your best options. Carry cash for food and craft stalls since card acceptance is limited.

Bottom Line

September and October in Ludhiana are more event-dense than the city gets credit for. Chhapar Mela connects the city to a 150-year folk tradition, the Jagran Film Festival brings world cinema to a single mall for three days, Daresi Ground's Dussehra is genuinely spectacular, and PAU Grounds' Saras Mela doubles as both a fair and a legitimate shopping window. Navratri fills the gaps between all of these. If you have family or friends visiting in this two-month window, the calendar more than justifies a stay.