The 12 th century Uma Maheshwar temple at Hosgunda in Sagar Taluk of Shimoga District, Karnataka, has been in news lately for the renovation works taken up in the temple. The temple is noted for its intricate and erotic carvings. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva but there was no ‘ shivling .’ The temple was neglected for a long period mainly because it was outside the purview of the state and central archaeological department. The Hindu reports The temple is believed to have been built during the period of the Sthanik dynasty that ruled this part of the State with Hosgunda as its capital. A stone inscription of 1103 AD bears the description of the temple that has a height of 21 m and width of 9 m. The Uma Maheshwar temple, nestled in the verdant forests of the Western Ghats, is being taken up for conservation by the Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Dharmothan Trust in association with the Uma Maheshwar Seva Trust. The temple will be renovated in