| Jai Valley | |
| Other Name: | Jai Top |
| Native Name: | [1] |
| Translation: | Jaie Valley |
| Map: | India Jammu and Kashmir#India |
| Country: | India |
| Region: | Jammu |
| State: | Jammu & Kashmir |
| District: | Doda |
| Coordinates: | 33.028°N 75.7728°W |
| Elevation Ft: | 7,800 |
| Length Km: | 6 |
| Width Km: | 0.5 |
Jai Valley (/ʒæɪ ˈvæli/) is an enchanting valley[2] located 32km (20miles) northeast of Bhaderwah town in Jammu and Kashmir, India. The Bhaderwah-Jai road, which passes through the corniferous deodar forests of Nakshri, Balote, Bhalara and Chinta Valley connects the valley with the Bhaderwah town.[3] The valley has green meadows which act as the attraction for tourists in summers and the snow-covered landscape during winters.[4] Jai valley has about 9km (06miles) long meadows, bisected by a stream called Jai Nallah which merges with a tributary of river Chenab at Kahara in tehsil Thathri.[5] It is also known by the names Jai Garh and Jai Top. The valley is also connected through a 37km (23miles) long road with Gandoh. There is no Mobile Network in this valley.
Jai, located in Bhaderwah tehsil (subdistrict) of Doda district in the Jammu division, it is a high altitude tourist destination, 32 kilometers northeast of Bhaderwah by Bhaderwah-Chinta-Jai Road.[3] Every year thousands of tourist visits there, including the locals also.[6] It is also connected with Bhalessa-Jai-Bhaderwah road.[7] In summers, local Gurjars visit Jai along with their cattles where they have own mudhouses. The valley is surrounded with corniferous trees and towards its east lies the Bhalessa Valley which is connected through 46 kilometers Jai-Bhalessa Road, encompasses the hunting grounds of Bachdhar. Another 27 Kilometers Kahara-Jai Road also linked Kahara tehsil (subdistrict) to this valley.[5]
Wild herbs like Guchchi (Morels), Kasrod (Fiddlehead fern) Foxglove, Aconitum, Mayapple and more can be found here.[5]
Jai gets thousands of tourist visits every year mostly in summers.[6] The Bhaderwah-Jai road climbs uphill in the last 30 kilometres to Jai passing through forests of pine and fir[5] of Nakshri, Balote, Bhalara and Chinta Valley.[3] It is one of the scenic tourist spot in Bhaderwah.[8] There are various natural waterfalls and the activities such as rock-climbing and hard-core trekking can be performed here.[2] The Jai Nallah is famousfor Trout Fish Culture.[9] The source of water in Jai Nallah stream are the different natural springs which are found at various places of Jai, while Chenab Valley have hundreds of these natural springs found commonly in every village and forest areas. Due to these natural springs, this stream remain running all the year.[10]
Winter sports like skiing, ice skating and sledging can be played when the snow covers entire valley in winters. There are igloo huts for tourists to stay in the valley.[11] Chinta and Jai valleys have the favourable climate and environment for basics and training in paragliding. Paragliding is the special attraction of hilly areas but it is feasible all over the year except wet seasons.[12]
There are three roads which connects Jai Valley to other parts, which are as follows;