King Songtsen Gampo’s Queen Bhrikuti Stripped of National Status in Nepal

Bhrikuti, known to Tibetans as Bhelsa Tritsun and the first consort of King Songtsen Gampo, has been removed from Nepal’s list of national luminaries. While she was honored in 1955 for bringing Buddhism to Tibet, officials cited insufficient historical records as the reason for the 2017 removal. Tibetan texts like the Mani Kabum confirm her lineage, contradicting claims of vague history. Despite the erasure, local efforts are underway to revive her legacy. Bagmati Province has allocated Rs. 10 million to reconstruct her historic birthplace in Khopasi, hoping to restore the dignity of this shared cultural icon.