The annual Amarnath pilgrimage was suspended again on Friday as incessant rains lashed the region, making both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes leading to the Himalayan cave shrine unfit for travel.

Heavy rains lashed parts of the valley since Thursday evening and as a precautionary measure, pilgrims were not allowed to proceed by foot towards the 3,880-metre-high cave from Pahalgam as well as shorter Baltal routes Friday morning, official sources said.

The two-month-long holy journey, which began on June 11, was suspended for three days immediately after its commencement as the area received fresh snowfall.

The rains have made the twin track between Sheshnag and Pachtarni on Pahalgam side and various places on the Baltal side slippery.

However, helicopter services to the cave shrine remained unaffected and 173 pilgrims paid obeisance at the holy site on Friday.

Officials said all pilgrims who were camping at various places en route to the cave were safe and that the authorities were monitoring the situation. If the weather permits, the yatra would resume later on Friday.

Meanwhile, the fourth batch of 1498 pilgrims, including 235 women and 151 sadhus, have left Jammu for the cave shrine Friday morning.