Chhapar Mela is one of the historic fairs of
Punjab. It falls on the 14th day of the bright half of Bhadon (September). This three-day fair, dedicated to the saint Gugga Peer, is held at Gugge di Marhi, in Chhapar village, about two kilometers from Ahmadgarh (
Sangrur District).
Gugge di Marhi has a reputation for curing people of snake-bite. During the fair, a large number of devotees from in and around the village throng this shrine to perform puja and pay their obeisance to the saint.
According to legends, once a woman went to work in the fields after sleeping her child under the shade of a tree. She got so engrossed in her work that she forgot about the child. When the woman returned, she saw a big snake with large hood protecting her child from the burning sun. Hence this spot is considered highly sacred and sometimes referred to as 'shakthi-stal'.
The highlight of this fair is folk dances accompanied by songs.
