A graduate from Stanford University has now become a sadhvi (ascetic) and is promoting sanitation and hygiene in the Kumbh Mela through the 'Toilet Cafeteria'. It is a unique cafe with commode style chairs, encouraging devotees to use toilets and avoid open defecation.

Speaking to India Today TV, the American national said "I came to India in 1996 for the first time after completing my graduation. When I visited Rishikesh, Hindu religion and traditions influenced me. Since then I decided to work as a 'sanyasi'. I can't disclose my original name as I have given up my past life but now people call me Sadhvi Bhagwati Saraswati."

She praised at the preparations at the Kumbh, saying the job done by the state government to maintain cleanliness was "commendable".

Toilets at the cafe.

"We feel cleanliness and hygiene is extremely important. It's very important to use toilets, avoid open defecation and wash our hands properly. We are spreading this awareness among people through the toilet cafe. Every day in the morning we go with empty bags to collect garbage but it's quite commendable that we struggle to find trash because of the adequate security measures and lakhs of toilets constructed by the state government" added Saraswati.

Prayagraj: Visuals of the Toilet Cafeteria’ set up at #KumbhMela2019 pic.twitter.com/SVL3szPHxD ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 18, 2019

Grace, who belongs to Argentina and is visiting the Kumbh Mela for the first time said, "Cleanliness is the biggest concern across the globe. I am also contributing to spreading awareness by interacting with people here at Toilet Cafeteria. The atmosphere here is brilliant and it's undoubtedly the biggest religious congregation we have ever seen."

Focusing heavily on the cleanliness in Kumbh, the state government has put up 1.22 lakh toilets in the premises with the theme of 'Swacch Kumbh, Surakshit Kumbh' (Clean Kumbh, Safe Kumbh).