Erode – General
Information
Erode District (previously known as Periyar District) is
a district in the Kongu Nadu region
(western part) of the state of Tamil Nadu, India. It was the
largest district by area in the state before the Formation of Tirupur District and the headquarters of the
district is Erode. It is divided
into two revenue divisions namely Erode and Gobichettipalayam and further
subdivided into 6 taluks. Periyar district was a part of Coimbatore District before
its bifurcation on September
17, 1979 and was renamed as Erode District in 1996. As of 2011, the district
had a population of 2,251,744 with a sex-ratio of 993 females for every 1,000
males, much above the national average of 929.
Etymology
Modern historians contend that Erode has its origin in the Tamil phrase Eru Odai meaning two streams. The
claim is based on the presence of two water courses, Perumpallam in Surampatti and Kalingarayan Canal in Brahmana Periya
Agraharam andKasipalayam. As per another local belief, the name is derived from the words
"Eera Odu" which means wet skull. Dakshaprajapathi, who married his
daughter to Hindu god Shiva, conducted a yajna. For the ritual,
Shiva was not invited. However, Dakshyayini, the wife of Shiva, attended the
ritual, much against the wish of her husband. During the function, Dakshyayini
was not welcomed by her parents or other attendees. She was vexed and threw
herself in the fire pot and burned to ashes. On hearing this, Shiva got highly
enraged, proceeded to the sacrificial pot and threw everyone present
including Brahma, the Hindu god of
creation. The skulls and bones were thrown in river Cauvery and remained as a wet skull.
History
The region belonging to the present day districts were ruled
successively by several dynasties of South India including theCheras, Cholas and Pandyas.
It was under the rule of Cheras in the first millennium and various Karnataka rulers. During
the 10th to 12th centuries the region was part of the larger Chola Empire .
The region became part of Vijayanagara Empire in 1300's, later
under Nayaks of Madurai until 17th century.
Under the Madurai Nayaks, the Polygar system of administration was established, who were the
Governors of the region. Since mid 17th century the region was part of Kingdom of Mysore but continuing the Polygar system of administration.
The Polygar chieftain Dheeran Chinnamalai was one of the
governors of the region, who played a major part in the early struggle
for Indian Independence in the Polygar Wars against the British East India
Company. After the Polygar and Mysore wars in the late 18th century, the
area came under control of the British until the Indian Independence in 1947. It
was a part of the erstwhile Coimbatore district until its bifurcation
in 1979.
Demographics
According to 2011 census, Erode district
had a population of 2,251,744 with a sex-ratio of 993 females for every 1,000
males, much above the national average of 929. 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 .97% of the population
respectively. The average literacy of the district was 66.29%, compared to the
national average of 72.99%. The district had a total of 658,071
households. There were a total of 1,195,773 workers, comprising 173,376
cultivators, 331,414 main agricultural labourers, 48,960 in house hold
industries, 557,301 other workers, 84,722 marginal workers, 4,794 marginal
cultivators, 38,798 marginal agricultural labourers, 5,362 marginal workers in
household industries and 35,768 other marginal workers.
Geography
The district is bounded by Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka to the north & Kaveri River to the east.
Across the river lies Salem, Namakkal & Karur districts. Tirupur District lies immediately to the south,
and Coimbatore and the Nilgiris district lie to the west. Erode District
is landlocked and is
situated at between 10 36” and 11 58” north latitude and between 76 49” and 77
58” east longitude. The district forms the meeting point of Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats separated by Bhavani River.
The district comprises a long undulating plain, sloping gently
towards the Kaveri River in the south-east. Three major tributaries of river
Kaveri, the Bhavani, Noyyal and Amaravati,
run across the long stretch of mountains in the north. Palar River constitutes the boundary between Erode district and
Karnataka in the north. The Bhavanisagar Dam and Kodiveri Dam provide storage facilities and numerous canals along with
these rivers provide proper drainage and facilities for irrigation in the
district.
Bhavani River
Bhavani rises in the Western Ghats of Silent Valley National
Park in Palakkad District of Kerala. It receives the Siruvani River which has the second tastiest water
in the world, a perennial stream of Coimbatore District, and gets reinforced by
the Kundah River before entering Erode District in Sathyamangalam. Bhavani is more or less a perennial river fed mostly by the southwest
monsoon. The northeast monsoon also supplements its water resources.
This river runs for over hundred miles through Erode District,
traversing Bhavani and Gobichettipalayam taluks. It
feeds the Bhavanisagar reservoir, which takes an easterly course after
Sathyamangalam taluk. Near Gobichettipalayam lies the Kodiveri Dam, a mini dam constructed for agricultural purposes. It ultimately
joins Kaveri in the island of Bhavani, Tamil Nadu, near Erode, with a holistic tributary river of Amutha Nathi, hence called
Tiriveni Sangamam. The place where Bhavani joins with Kaveri River is famous for Sri Sangameshwara Temple of Lord Shiva, where according to the Hindu customs people perform the last rights for deceased near and
dears.
Kaveri River
Kaveri rises in the Western Ghats of Kodagu (Coorg)
District, in Karnataka, and is joined by many small tributaries. It runs
eastward through Karnataka, and at Hogenakal fall takes a sharp turn, east to
south. Before reaching this point, it is joined by its main tributary,
the Kabini River. From here it runs towards the southeast, forming
the boundary between Bhavani Taluk of Erode District and Tiruchengode Taluk
of the neighbouring Namakkal District. The Bhavani River joins the Kaveri at
the town of Bhavani.
Climate
The climate is mostly dry and characterized by good rainfall.
Unlike nearby Coimbatore district, Erode District
has dry weather throughout the year except during the monsoons. The Palghat Gap in Western Ghats, which has a moderating effect on the
climate of Coimbatore district, does not help in bringing down the dry climate
in this area. The cool moist wind that gushes out of the west coast through
Palghat gap loses its coolness and becomes dry by the time it crosses
Coimbatore district and reaches Erode.
Generally the first two months of the year are pleasant, but in
March the temperature begins to rise, which persists till the end of May. The
highest temperatures are normally recorded during May. The scanty showers
during this period do not provide much relief from the oppressive heat.
However, there is an improvement in the climate during the June–August period.
During the pre-monsoon period, the temperature reverses its trend. By September
the sky gets heavily overcast, although the rains pour down. The northeast
monsoon sets in vigorously only during October–November, and by December the
rains disappear, rendering the climate clear and cold.
Administration
Erode District is divided into two revenue divisions namely: Erode and Gobichettipalayam. The district
presently contains six taluks namely: Anthiyur, Bhavani, Erode, Gobichettipalayam, Perundurai, and Satyamangalam. (Five as of the 2011
census, with the sixth taluk created in 2012 out of parts of Bhavani and
Gobichettipalayam) Erode District consists of the municipal corporation
of Erode and four other municipalities:
Politics
Erode District is divided between 3 Parliamentary Constituencies
namely: Erode, Nilgiris and Tirupur. The district
consists of 8 assembly constituencies namely Anthiyur, Bhavani, Bhavani Sagar, Erode East, Erode West, Gobichettipalayam, Modakurichi and Perundurai.
Economy
Agriculture is the most important income source of the district.
Paddy, plantain, silk, cotton, turmeric, coconut and sugarcane are some of the
major products from agriculture and allied industries. With 43% share, the district
is the top turmeric producer in
Tamil Nadu. Erode is also known as "Turmeric city" as it is an
important market center for turmeric. Erode district is also the leading
producer of plantain, coconuts and white silk in Tamil Nadu.
Gobichettipalayam is well known
for its white silk, cotton, plantain and coconut production. The country's
first automated silk reeling unit is located near Gobichettipalayam. Erode, Bhavani and Chennimalai are well known for handloom, power loom textile products
and ready-made garments. In 2005, Bhavani Jamakkalam (Bhavani Bed sheets) was
registered as a Geographical Indication by the Government of India. It is also
famous for textiles. Anthiyur and Modachur (Gobichettipalayam) shandy are famous
for cattle.
Communication
The district is also served by an extensive postal, telegraph and
telephone networks. The district is divided into two postal divisions namely
Erode and Gobichettipalayam. There are 3 head post offices at Erode, Bhavani
and Gobichettipalayam apart from 319 post offices. The district is serviced by
almost all the leading mobile phone operators in India.
Education
Erode district has several facilities for higher education
including a Medical College at Perundurai and many engineering, arts and science colleges. The
district is divided into two educational districts, Gobichettipalayam and Erode.
Massachusetts Institute
of Technology center of research and laboratory for rapid urbanization and
architecture is located at Erode.