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what is sati? does it exist now?
Sati was a social funeral practice among some Indian communities in which a recently widowed woman would immolate herself on her husband’s funeral pyre. The practice was banned several times, with the current ban dating to 1829 by the British.

The term is derived from the original name of the goddess Sati, also known as Dakshayani, who self-immolated because she was unable to bear her father Daksha's humiliation of her (living) husband Shiva. The term may also be used to refer to the widow.
Sati was first banned under Bengal Sati Regulation, 1829. In 1987, the Government of Rajasthan enacted the Sati (Prevention) Act, 1987.
Following the outcry after the sati of Roop Kanwar,the Indian Government enacted the Rajasthan Sati Prevention Ordinance, 1987 on October 1, 1987and later passed the Commission of Sati (Prevention) Act, 1987.

Sati still occurs, albeit rarely, in the rural areas in India.


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