Not just adults, but children sit on the floor as well.
Anyways, yes, it is a cultural thing. If you do it all the time, it is comfortable enough. What Westerner's perceive as uncomfortable is not uncomfortable at all.
Don't forget that Western style toilets are also a relatively new thing, so sitting Western style is actually less common (but is now common in post modern India).
Also, Indians are generally very fastidious and clean. Paradoxically, India itself is quite dirty since the concept of cleanliness in India is usually limited to one's immediate habitat. Sweeping, dusting and mopping is a daily chore in Indian homes unlike the West.
The images in this particular article do not portray a very clean environment though, I'll grant you that.
Anyways, yes, it is a cultural thing. If you do it all the time, it is comfortable enough. What Westerner's perceive as uncomfortable is not uncomfortable at all.
Don't forget that Western style toilets are also a relatively new thing, so sitting Western style is actually less common (but is now common in post modern India).
Also, Indians are generally very fastidious and clean. Paradoxically, India itself is quite dirty since the concept of cleanliness in India is usually limited to one's immediate habitat. Sweeping, dusting and mopping is a daily chore in Indian homes unlike the West.
The images in this particular article do not portray a very clean environment though, I'll grant you that.