Erode

Etymology

There are two theories regarding the origin of the name Erode. It might have its origin in the Tamil phrase Eeru Odai meaning two streams based on the water courses Perumpallam and Pichaikaranpallam canals. Alternatively, it might have been derived from the Tamil phrase Eera Odu meaning 'wet skull', based on the temple of Shiva in the city and the mythology associated with it.

History

During Sangam period, the region formed a part of the Kongu Nadu region ruled by Cheras and then by Kalabhras. The region came under the Pandyas around 590 CE. Afterward, it was ruled by Rashtrakutas and by Cholas from the 10th to early 13th century. Erode was annexed by Vijayanagara Empire in 1378 CE till 1559 CE. After the Vijayanagara Empire fell in the 17th century, the Madurai Nayaks established their state as an independent kingdom introducing the Palayakkarar system. Erode became a part of the Hindu Wodeyar-ruled Mysore Kingdom in the early 1700s CE before coming under the control of the British East India Company with Maharaja of Mysore still as a nominal ruler. Erode remained under British Colonial rule until the Indian independence in 1947.

Climate

Erode has a semi-arid climate with hot to sweltering temperatures throughout the year and relatively low rainfall. Temperatures range from 80 to(-) with an average rainfall of 543 mm. Like the rest of Tamil Nadu, March to June are the hottest and December to January the mildest months of the year. Because the Southwest monsoon (June to August) brings scanty rainfall, the bulk of Erode's rainfall is received during the Northeast monsoon in October and November. The city covers an area of 8.44 km2.

| Jan record high C = 37.0 | Feb record high C = 37.2 | Mar record high C = 40.6 | Apr record high C = 42.8 | May record high C = 41.8 | Jun record high C = 42.0 | Jul record high C = 39.0 | Aug record high C = 40.0 | Sep record high C = 39.6 | Oct record high C = 38.6 | Nov record high C = 36.2 | Dec record high C = 35.6 | year record high C = 42.8 | Jan record low C = 13.0 | Feb record low C = 13.0 | Mar record low C = 17.0 | Apr record low C = 19.0 | May record low C = 19.0 | Jun record low C = 19.0 | Jul record low C = 19.0 | Aug record low C = 19.0 | Sep record low C = 18.0 | Oct record low C = 17.6 | Nov record low C = 14.4 | Dec record low C = 14.0 | year record low C = 13.0 | access-date = April 8, 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205040301/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/1981-2010%20CLIM%20NORMALS%20%28STATWISE%29.pdf | archive-date = 5 February 2020 | access-date = 15 March 2020}}

Demographics

|1901|15529 |1911|16701 |1921|22911 |1931|33672 |1941|39483 |1951|57576 |1961|73762 |1971|105111 |1981|142252 |1991|159232 |2001|173600 |2011|498129

• 1901 – 2001
• 2011

As of 2011, Erode has 521,776 in population with a sex-ratio of 996, above the national average of 929. A literacy rate of 85% compares favorably to the national average of 73%. The city had 43,184 households, with Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes accounting for 11% and 0.15% of the population respectively. Of its 66,135 workers, 61,382 are classified as other workers and the rest in agriculture and household industries. As per the 2011 census, Hinduism was the majority religion with 83% adherents followed by Islam (12%) and Christianity (4%). Tamil is the major spoken language in the city.

Economy

The economy of Erode is dependent majorly on agriculture and textiles. It is a major textile hub specializing in handloom and knitwear. Erode is among the largest producers of turmeric in the state. Erode Turmeric is recognized as a Geographical Indication by the Government of India. Several food processing industries and poultry farms operate in and around the city. It is one of the largest markets for coconut and coconut oil in South India.

The GDP of Erode district grew at 15.5% in 2008 ahead of the state's GDP growth by 4%. According to Indian Census of 2001, urban workforce participation rate for Erode is 35% with growth in secondary and tertiary sectors and a corresponding decrease in the primary sector. Major employment is provided by textile industry, turmeric industry and oil and rice mills with 69% of its workforce employed in tertiary sector. Nethaji Market is a wholesale, and retail central market for vegetables and fruits with plans to establish a new wholesale market in the outskirts of the city.

Administration and politics

Erode is the headquarters of Erode District which was bifurcated from Coimbatore District in 1979. The city is administered by Erode Municipal Corporation. The town was constituted as a municipality in 1871, promoted to special-grade during 1980 and upgraded as a corporation in 2008. The city is sub-divided into 60 wards represented by elected councillors, who form part of the city council headed by a mayor. The functions of the corporation are devolved into six departments: general administration/personnel, Engineering, Revenue, Public Health, city planning and Information Technology under the control of a Municipal Commissioner who is the executive head.

Law and order is maintained by Erode sub division of Tamil Nadu Police headed by a Deputy Superintendent of Police. There are seven police stations located at Karungalpalayam, Bazaar, Surampatti, Veerappanchatram, Rangampalayam, Chithode and Government hospital. There are special units like armed reserve, prohibition enforcement, district crime, social justice and human rights, district crime records and a special branch. Erode has two state assembly constituencies namely Erode East and Erode West, which elect members to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly once every five years and forms part of the Erode Lok Sabha constituency that elects its member to the Indian Parliament.

Public services

Electricity supply is regulated and distributed by Tamil Nadu Electricity Board. The city along with its suburbs form a part of Erode Electricity Distribution Circle, headed by a chief distribution engineer. Water supply is provided by Erode Municipality, and is drawn from the Kaveri river and stored across eight reservoirs. For 2000–01, 14 million litres of water was supplied every day for households in the city. About 110-125 metric tonnes of solid waste were processed by the sanitary department in 2011. As there is no underground drainage system, disposal of sullage is through septic tanks, open drains and public conveniences with its 192 km of storm water drains. Government General Hospital serves as primary center of healthcare with several private hospitals providing supporting care. As of 2011, municipality maintained 4,678 street lamps. The corporation operates two vegetable markets and a textile market.

As of 2006, there were 46 public and private schools with four technical institutes. These include government run schools, schools funded by the government (aided schools) and private schools. These schools come under the purview of the Erode education district and follow Tamil Nadu Anglo Indian School Board, Tamil Nadu State Board, Matriculation or CBSE syllabus. There are four playgrounds in the city.

Transport

Road

Erode maintains 102 km of local roads with 5 km of concrete and rest bituminous. Additionally, 16.6 km of state highways is maintained by State Highways Department. NH 544 connecting Salem and Coimbatore bypasses the city and the National Highway NH 381A and NH 544H pass through the city. The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation has a sub-divisional headquarters at Erode (jeeva) under the Coimbatore division. Erode Central Bus Terminus, is the second Largest main bus station complex for Tamil Nadu State Express Transport Corporation and is well connected with the major cities in Tamil Nadu and neighboring states. Private carriers operate long-distance buses connecting to major cities like Chennai, Bangalore etc. The main arterial roads include:

• SH-15: Erode – Gobichettipalayam – Sathy – Mettupalayam – Kotagiri – Ooty
• SH-83A: Erode – Arachalur – Kangeyam – Dharapuram
• SH-79: Erode – Tiruchengode – Rasipuram – Attur
• SH-79A: Erode – Pallipalayam – Sankagiri
• SH-84: Erode – Kodumudi – Karur
• SH-84A: Erode – Modakurichi – Vellakoil – Mulanur
• SH-96: Erode – Perundurai – Chennimalai – Kangeyam – Dharapuram
• SH-20: Erode – Bhavani

Rail

Erode Junction railway station is a major rail junction in Salem division of Southern Railway with a diesel locomotive shed and an electric locomotive shed attached. It also serves as a hub for water filling facilities, food provisions and cleaning services for long-distance trains that run via Erode. The following are the lines running from Erode junction:

Air

The nearest airport to Erode is Salem Airport at a distance of 84 km which is connected to and from Chennai. The major international airport is Coimbatore International Airport at a distance of 91 km with regular flights to domestic destinations and select international destinations including Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Singapore.

Places of interest

The Thindal Murugan Temple, situated 6 km from the city center, Periya Mariamman Temple, and Natadreeswarar Temple, are prominent religious destinations in the city. While the city was built around a demolished fort, a temple for Arudra Kabaleeswar (Shiva) praising the Saiva and one for Kasthuri Ranganatha Perumal (Vishnu) praising the Vaishnava aspects of Hinduism were built. The E.V.R. Museum, Vellode Bird Sanctuary, and Thanthai Periyar Memorial House, the former residence of Periyar E. V. Ramasamy, who was born in the city, are other major attractions. CSI Brough Memorial Church, located on Meenatchi Sundaranar Road was consecrated in 1933 by Antony Watson Brough (1861 -1936), an Australian missionary.

Notable people

• Iswarya Menon (born 1995), actress
• J.Prabu (born 1986), actor and film director
• Mahesh (born 1981), TV artist and comedian
• Periyar E. V. Ramasamy, (1879 - 1973), social reformer
• Rio Raj (born 1989), actor
• Srinivasa Ramanujan (1887 - 1920), mathematician
• Sundar C (born 1968), actor and film director

References

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