Interested in exploring off-the-beaten-path India?  One place that should be on your list is the city and surrounding area of Baramati, in Maharashtra state, five hours east of Mumbai (Bombay) and two hours from Pune. Located on the banks of the Karha River, it's known among Indians as the birthplace of a famous poet, Kavi Moropant (and more recently, of the inventor of the CO2 laser, Kumar Patel!). Ruled from 850 to 1334 by the famous Seuna dynasty (better known as the Yadavas of Devagiri), it has a number of fascinating sites to offer visitors - most notably a pair of fascinating temples that are among this country's most ancient, whose presence makes the city something of a pilgrimage destination for Hindus.

read post