Hazrat Daud Cave

Another legend tells of David’s search for seclusion prior to his fabled confrontation with Goliath. While genii guided him to the mountains near Samarkand, ifrits betrayed his hideout, carrying the colossal Goliath to his doorstep. In a desperate plea for divine concealment, David found the mountain boulder yielding to his touch, softer than wax, allowing him to burrow deep within, eluding Goliath’s wrath.

The journey to the cave is a test of faith and endurance, requiring pilgrims to ascend 1303 steps to reach the mountain’s zenith, where an ancient mosque awaits their prayers. The descent of 200 steps then leads to the cave’s entrance. Within this darkened chasm, stretching from 0.5 to 4 meters in width, soaring up to 15 meters in height, and extending 30 meters in length, one can find the imprints of Daud’s hands and feet. It is believed that touching these sacred marks will grant the seeker’s most fervent wishes.

The arduous climb of nearly 2000 steps is not for the faint-hearted. Local villagers offer the aid of donkeys or horses for those unable to make the trek on foot. Along the path, stalls brimming with water, medicinal herbs, animal pelts, and various trinkets provide a respite for the weary traveler.

The Cave of Hazrat Daud stands as a beacon of faith, drawing those who seek spiritual solace and a touch of the miraculous. It is a place where the physical and the divine converge, where stories of the past empower the hopes of the present. For those who make the pilgrimage, the cave offers not just a journey through the rugged landscape but a passage through the realms of belief and wonder.