Erode district

The region belonging to present-day Erode District was ruled successively by several South Indian dynasties, including the Cheras, Cholas and Pandyas. During the first millennium, it was under the rule of the Chera Dynasty and various other rulers. Between the 10th to 12th centuries, the region was part of the larger Chola Empire. The region became part of Vijayanagara empire in the 14th century, then under the Nayaks of Madurai until the 17th century. Under the Madurai Nayaks, the Polygar system of administration was established. The Polygar system continued after the region became part of the Kingdom of Mysore in the mid-17th century.

The Polygar chieftain Dheeran Chinnamalai, a governor of the region, played a major role in the early struggle for Indian Independence in the late 18th-century Polygar Wars against the British East India Company. After the Polygar and Mysore Wars in the late 18th century, the area came under the control of the British until the achievement of Indian independence in 1947. It was a part of the erstwhile Coimbatore district until its split in 1979.

According to the 2011 census, Erode District had a population of 2,251,744 with a sex-ratio of 993 females for every 1,000 males, above the national average of 929.[3] A total of 195,213 were under the age of six, constituting 99,943 males and 95,270 females. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes accounted for 16.41% and 0.97% of the population, respectively. The literacy rate of the district was 66.29%, compared to the national average of 72.99%.[3] The district had a total of 658,071 households. There were 1,195,773 workers: 173,376 cultivators, 331,414 main agricultural labourers, 48,960 in household industries, 557,301 other workers, 84,722 marginal workers, 38,798 marginal agricultural labourers, 5,362 marginal workers in household industries, 4,794 marginal cultivators and 35,768 other marginal workers.[4]

Map of Erode region during 1955

To the north of Erode District lies Chamarajanagar district in Karnataka State. To the east, across the Kaveri River, lies Salem and Namakkal districts. To the southeast lies Karur district. Tirupur District lies immediately to the south. Coimbatore and Nilgiris districts lie to the west.

Erode District is landlocked, and is situated at between latitude 10 36" and 11 58" north and between longitude 76 49" and 77 58" east. The district forms the meeting point of the Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats mountain ranges, separated by the Bhavani River.

The district comprises a long undulating plain, sloping gently towards the Kaveri River in the south-east. The three major tributaries of the Kaveri, the Bhavani, Noyyal and Amaravati, run across the long stretch of mountains in the north. In combination with these rivers, numerous canals, the Bhavanisagar Dam and the Kodiveri Dam provide irrigation and drainage for Erode.

Bhavanisagar Dam across Bhavani River

Kaveri River at Erode

Western Ghats as seen from Gobichettipalayam

Unlike nearby Coimbatore District, Erode District's climate is characterized by dry weather throughout the year, except during the monsoons, when it receives high rainfall. The cool, moist wind that passes through the Palghat Gap in the Western Ghats has a moderating effect on the climate of neighbouring Coimbatore district, but the air loses its coolness and becomes dry by the time it reaches Erode.

Generally, the first two months of the year are pleasant, but in March the temperature begins to rise, which persists until the end of May, when the highest temperatures are normally recorded. The few rain showers during this period do not provide much relief from the heat. However, the temperature reverses its rising trend during the pre-monsoon period, between June and August. By September, the monsoon rains begin to fall. The northeast monsoon sets in vigorously during October–November. By December, the rains end, returning the climate to its dry and cold state.

Erode District Collector's Office

For administrative purposes, Erode District is divided into ten taluks under two revenue divisions.[6]

• Erode division : Erode taluk, Kodumudi taluk, Modakurichi taluk, Perundurai taluk[7]
• Gobichettipalayam division : Anthiyur taluk, Bhavani taluk, Gobichettipalayam taluk, Sathyamangalam taluk, Nambiyur taluk, Thalavadi taluk[8]

Erode District consists of one municipal corporation and four other municipalities:[9]

• Erode Municipal Corporation
• Gobichettipalayam Selection Grade Municipality
• Sathyamangalam Grade-I municipality
• Bhavani Grade-II municipality
• Punjai Puliampatti Grade-II municipality

Erode District is divided into 3 Parliamentary Constituencies of the Lok Sabha: Erode, Nilgiris and Tirupur. The district consists of eight Assembly Constituencies of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly: Anthiyur, Bhavani, Bhavani Sagar, Erode East, Erode West, Gobichettipalayam, Modakurichi and Perundurai.

Paddy fields near Gobichettipalayam

Fabrics and rugs made in Erode are famous

Agriculture is the most important source of income in Erode District. Paddy, plantain, silk, cotton, turmeric, coconut and sugarcane are some of the major products from agriculture and its associated industries.

Erode is the top turmeric producer in Tamil Nadu, making up 43% of statewide production.[10] Erode is an important market centre for turmeric, being known as "Turmeric City." March 2019, turmeric from Erode received a Geographical Indication tag from the Geographical Indication Registry,[11] making Erode Manjal Vanigarkal Matrum Kidangu Urimaiyalargal Sangam the registered proprietors of the Geographical Indication Erode Manjal (Erode Turmeric).[12]

Erode is also the leading producer of plantain, coconuts and white silk in Tamil Nadu.[13]

Gobichettipalayam is well known for its white silk, cotton, plantain and coconut production.

Erode is one of the major producers of food products in the state. The country's first automated silk reeling unit is located near Gobichettipalayam.

Erode (city), Bhavani and Chennimalai are well known for handloom and powerloom textile products and ready-made garments. In 2005, Bhavani Jamakkalam (Bhavani Bedsheets) was registered as a Geographical Indication.[14]

Anthiyur and Modachur (Gobichettipalayam) towns are famous for cattle.

Erode Junction railway station

Meenakshi Sundaranar Salai in Erode

NH 544 Bypass near Chithode

The transportation system in Erode is well-developed. Erode, being a prominent trading center in Tamil Nadu, is well-connected with all modern means of transport, except air transport. The district is accessible by both road and rail from the state capital Chennai and other major cities. The district is divided into four Regional Transport Office (RTO) sub-divisions, namely Erode East (TN 33), Gobichettipalayam (TN 36), Perundurai (TN 56) and Erode West (TN 86). Gobichettipalayam RTO has two sub-offices, namely Bhavani (TN 36W) and Sathyamangalam (TN 36Z).

The district is served by extensive postal, telegraph and telephone networks. The district is divided into two postal divisions, namely Erode and Gobichettipalayam. There are three head post offices at Erode, Bhavani and Gobichettipalayam, in addition to 319 other post offices. The district is serviced by almost all leading mobile phone operators in India.

Erode district has several facilities for higher education,The district is divided into two educational districts, Gobichettipalayam and Erode. Former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Dr.M.G.Ramachandran started IRT Perundurai Medical College which is now renamed as Erode Medical College at Perundurai and an Engineering College "Institute of Road and Transport Technology" as the Automobile Research oriented Institute for the welfare of workers of Tamil Nadu State Transport Coorporation in 1984. IRTT is one of the top 10 Government Engineering Colleges in Tamil Nadu. Other institutions include Vellalar Institutions, Bannari Amman Institute of Technology, Kongu Engineering College, Nandha college of technology, sasurie colleg of engineering and Erode Sengunthar Engineering College.

Pariyur Kondathu Kaliamman Temple

Bannari Amman Temple

Erode has many places of interest, attracting tourists from all over the state and other neighboring states. Notable ones include:

• Bargur hills, Anthiyur
• Bannari Amman Temple, Bannari
• Bhavanisagar Dam, Bhavanisagar
• Chennimalai Murugan temple, Chennimalai
• Kodiveri Dam, Gobichettipalayam
• Pachaimalai Subramanya Swamy Temple, Gobichettipalayam
• Pariyur Kondathu Kaliamman Temple, Gobichettipalayam
• Sangameswarar Temple, Bhavani
• Sathyamangalam Tiger reserve
• Thindal Murugan Temple, Erode
• Vellode Birds Sanctuary, Erode
• Magudeshwarar Temple, Kodumudi
• Government Museum, Erode

• Thoockanaickenpalaiyam block

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Erode district.

• Erode District