Hazrat Dovud Cave

A cave high in the Nuratau hills is associated in local tradition with the prophet David, who is said to have pressed his hand into the rock while fleeing, opening the cave, and pilgrims come to touch the handprint inside. The approach is a stairway of well over a thousand steps up the hillside, with shelters at intervals. The cave itself is narrow and low, and there is a bathhouse and pilgrim accommodation at the bottom.

What you actually see

• The stairway - well over a thousand steps up the hillside to the cave.
• The cave - the narrow low chamber pilgrims enter at the top.
• The handprint - the mark in the rock the tradition attaches to.
• The pilgrim facilities - the shelters, bathhouse and accommodation at the base.

When to go

April to June and September to October are the comfortable months. Summer heat makes the climb dangerous. Fridays and holidays bring the most pilgrims.

Honest expectations

The climb is long and steep and hard in heat. The cave interior is cramped and crowded with pilgrims. This is a religious site, not a tourist attraction, and behaviour matters.

Nearby

Nurata is northeast, and Sentob is east.