What is happening in the villages.
Melas, urs, Eid gatherings, kabaddi, horse shows, cricket tournaments and the whole of Independence fortnight. Every event is checked by our team. Free to RSVP.
Nothing is listed for this month yet.
Tell us about an eventEvery year
These come round every year. We do not know the dates until the organisers tell us, so we do not guess. Ask us to email you the day it is announced.
Urs and Mela of Hazrat Sakhi Saidan Shah Shirazi
Every April, over three days. It ran 10–12 April in 2025 and ended around 12 April in 2026; the shrine announces the dates each year.
Choa Saidan ShahA three-day urs at the shrine of the saint the town is named after. The sajjada nashin washes the shrine with rose water, qawwali runs at night, and on the second day processions on motorcycles and in cars arrive from Kahun, Jhangar and Mohal to lay a chadar. Kabaddi and a prize-giving close the urs, around which the town's yearly mela grows.
Eid ul-Fitr gatherings
The date follows the moon.
Eid prayers and village gatherings after Ramadan. The date follows the moon, so we post each village's plans once they are known.
Eid ul-Adha gatherings
The date follows the moon.
Eid prayers and village gatherings for Eid ul-Adha. The date follows the moon, so plans are posted once they are known.
Independence Day, 14 August
14 August, every year.
Flag raisings, programmes and celebrations in the villages on 14 August.
Independence fortnight, 1 to 14 August
1 to 14 August, every year.
The two weeks leading up to Independence Day: matches, programmes and gatherings across the villages.
Karyala (Kerala) cricket tournament
Every year, around 14 August. Dates to be announced.
KaryalaThe yearly cricket tournament at Karyala, held around Independence Day. Exact dates are posted when the organisers confirm them.
Kabaddi tournaments
Dates to be announced.
Village kabaddi matches and tournaments. We post each one once the organisers confirm the day and ground.
Horse and livestock shows
Dates to be announced.
Horse, strength and livestock shows held in and around the villages.
Urs and religious gatherings
Dates to be announced.
Urs and religious gatherings held by communities in the district. We share the time and place the organisers give us.
Maha Shivratri at Katas Raj Temples
Every year at Maha Shivratri, which follows the Hindu lunar calendar, so it falls in late February or early March. In 2025 pilgrims stayed 24 Feb to 2 Mar, with the main rites on 26 Feb.
KatasHindu pilgrims from India cross at Wagah under the Pakistan-India protocol on religious shrine visits and travel to the Katas Raj temple complex for Shivratri. They hold a havan and puja at the temples and the Amarkund pool, with lamps and fireworks at night. Pakistani Hindus join them.
Winter Hindu pilgrimage to Katas Raj
A second yearly visit in November or December; the dates depend on the Hindu calendar and on visas.
KatasBesides Shivratri, Indian Hindu pilgrims normally visit Katas Raj a second time each year, in November or December. They worship at the temple complex in Chakwal district.
Mela Karsal (Urs of Hazrat Syed Walait Shah)
Every September, for four days; in 2024 it was due in early October. The organisers set the dates locally each year. In October 2024 the district administration stopped the fair; check locally before travelling.
KarsalA four-day fair at the shrine of Hazrat Syed Walait Shah, about 26 km west of Chakwal city. Walait Shah is remembered as the heir of Bari Imam, who was born in Karsal. It opens with prayers. Daytime brings horse dancing, tent pegging, kabaddi, a shooting-ball match, the daali procession and the karah or jalsa bull contest; nights bring music and qasidas.
Urs of Ghazi Murid Hussain Shaheed
On the Islamic dates 17 and 18 Rajab, so the Gregorian date moves each year.
BhallaOn 17 Rajab the shrine is washed and the urs opens. On 18 Rajab there are naats and speeches through the day, then qawwali by well-known qawwals from after Isha until a closing prayer at dawn. Visitors come from all over Pakistan, and the shrine's madrasa serves langar.
Jashn-e-Nowroz and Urs of Baba Shah Ishaq Noori
Every March around Nowroz, over several days (17–22 March in 2020, the 352nd year). The shrine sets the dates locally.
DhudialA multi-day urs and Nowroz festival at the shrine of Baba Shah Ishaq Noori in Dhudial. It has a chadar-poshi and prayer, volleyball at the Railway Ground, a kabaddi match and a night of mehfil-e-sama qawwali. Karah bull contests are also listed in the programme.
Urs of Baba Pir Budhey Shah Hamdani
Every March; the exact dates are set locally each year.
MarkhalMarkhal is a remote village on the left bank of the Soan, about 42 km north-west of Talagang town (now Talagang district). Its most popular shrine holds an urs every March with qawwali, a bull race and kabaddi.
Urs at Darbar Aliya Hashimia Naqshbandia, Saigolabad
Date set by the shrine each year; it was on 5 April in 2025.
The yearly urs of Pir Syed Badul Islam Hashmi (Moini Chishti Naqshbandi), led by the sajjada nashin Pir Syed Najm ul Islam Hashmi. Scholars, Sufi elders and the custodians of other shrines give speeches, and the shrine is lit up.
Mela at the shrine of Baba Noor Muhammad (Chhe Ankhon Wali Sarkar), Jabbi Shah Dilawar
Every year in March and April; date set locally each year.
Jabbi Shah Dilawar is a union council about 49 km north-west of Talagang city, near the Attock boundary. Each March and April fairs are held in the compound of Baba Noor Muhammad's shrine, with food stalls and a camel market, and visitors come from across the country.
Urs at Pir Khara Sharif (Pir Karam Shah)
Date set locally each year; a 2014 report placed it in late March.
Pir Da KharaThe shrine of Pir Karam Shah, known as Pir Khara, is at the foot of the Salt Range in Kallar Kahar tehsil, next to a salty spring that gives the place its name. Its urs draws pilgrims from as far as Jhang.
Main 7th Muharram procession, Chakwal city
On the Islamic date 7 Muharram, so the Gregorian date moves each year.
ChakwalChakwal's main Muharram procession leaves the Central Imambargah Sarpak and ends at Imambargah Mohajireen Sadat on its traditional route. The Rawalpindi commissioner and regional police review security each year.
Youm-e-Ali central procession, Chakwal
On the martyrdom day of Hazrat Ali, 21 Ramadan, so the Gregorian date moves each year.
ChakwalA central procession and smaller processions in Chakwal mark the martyrdom of Hazrat Ali, under heavy security with walk-through gates and CCTV.
Mela Padshahan
Mid-June (14 June in 2026); date set locally each year.
PadshahanThe yearly village fair of Padshahan, known for its tent-pegging (naiza bazi) competition. Dawn photographed a woman rider competing there in June 2026.
Rustam-e-Zila Chakwal pigeon-flying championship
An annual competition; the 5th edition's prize-giving was in December 2024. The season dates are set by the organisers.
ChakwalA district pigeon-flying championship run by Chakwal ustads, with entrants from Mirpur, Dina, Jhelum and Sohawa. It ends with a trophy ceremony in Chakwal where guests are given Pehlwan revri.