Exploring the impact of temple interaction and proximity on nature connectedness: A case study of Śrī Dharma Śāstā Temple, India

• Temple proximity and interaction enhance nature connectedness – Frequent participation in temple activities strengthens individuals’ emotional bond with nature more than passive visitation. • Active engagement in eco-friendly rituals has a stronger impact – Participation in temple-based environmental activities (e.g., sacred grove stewardship) significantly enhances nature connectedness. • Faith-based ecological traditions promote sustainability – Hindu temple practices integrate environmental stewardship into cultural rituals, reinforcing sustainable behaviors through spiritual engagement. • Implications for environmental design and policy – Findings support the integration of biophilic design, religious environmental initiatives, and community engagement in sustainability strategies. • Future research directions – Studies should explore diverse cultural contexts, incorporate additional psychological scales (e.g., Place Attachment Scale), and use qualitative triangulation to deepen insights. In the Anthropocene era, where human-driven environmental challenges threaten the ecological balance, understanding the key factors that influence nature connectedness is essential. This study examines the potential role of the Śrī Dharma Śāstā Temple in South India, recognized for its sustainable practices, in shaping human-nature relationships. Five temple-interaction variables—proximity, visit frequency, recency of visit, participation in temple activities at the Śrī Dharma Śāstā Temple, and general temple visits to any nearby temple—were analyzed for their influence on the Connectedness to Nature Scale (CNS). Using GIS-based random sampling, data were collected from 527 participants within a 5 km radius of the temple. Stepwise regression analysis identified participation in temple activities and general temple visits as significant predictors of CNS. Structural equation modeling (SEM) further demonstrated that both personal values—altruistic (AV) and biospheric (BV)—and temple interaction significantly impact CNS. These findings provide empirical evidence for the role of temple engagement in fostering human-nature connectedness and highlight the need for further research on temple features that promote ecological awareness.