Sati is the traditional practice of a
Hindu widow burning herself on her husband's funeral pyre. The word 'sati' means 'a virtuous woman.' A woman who dies burning herself on her husband’s funeral fire was believed to directly go to the heaven, redeeming all her forefathers putrefying in the hell. The woman who committed Sati was worshipped as a goddess, and temples were built for her. Sati was common among certain sects of the society in ancient India.
Raja Ram Mohan Roy was among the first who fought to eliminate Sati. The British government banned the practice of Sati in 1829.
