Erode

This article is about the City in Tamil Nadu, India. For its namesake district, see Erode district. For natural process, see erosion.

Erode ஈரோடு
Turmeric City, Textile City, Loom-City
—  city  —
Brough Road
Erode Location of Erode in Tamil Nadu and India
Coordinates	11°21′N 77°44′E / 11.35°N 77.733°E / 11.35; 77.733Coordinates: 11°21′N 77°44′E / 11.35°N 77.733°E / 11.35; 77.733
Country	India
Region	Kongu Nadu(West Tamilnadu)
State	Tamil Nadu
District(s)	Erode District
Subdistrict(s)	Erode(Urban)
Municipal Corporation	2008
Mayor	Mallika Paramasivam
City Commissioner	Balachandran
Commissioner of Police
Parliamentary constituency	Erode
Assembly constituency	Erode(West), Erode(East)
Planning Agency	Erode Corporation
Population • Density	151,184 (2001[update]) • 583 /km2 (1,510 /sq mi)
Literacy	76%
Official languages	Tamil
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
Area • Elevation	270.14 km2 (104 sq mi) • 183 metres (600 ft)
Climate • Precipitation Temperature • Summer • Winter	Tropical climate (Köppen) •      1,050 mm (41 in) •      28 °C (82 °F) •      34.3 °C (93.7 °F) •      24 °C (75 °F)
Distance(s) • From Chennai • 390 kilometres (240 mi) NE (rail) • From Bangalore • 320 kilometres (200 mi) N (land) • From Coimbatore • 99 kilometres (62 mi) W (land) • From Kanyakumari • 440 kilometres (270 mi) S (land)
Codes • Pincode • 638xxx • Telephone • +91 (424) • UN/LOCODE • IN ERD • Vehicle • TN 33,36,56,34
Website	http://erodecorp.tn.gov.in/

Erode (Tamil: ஈரோடு [iːroːɽɯ]) is a city, a municipal corporation and the headquarters of Erode district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

It is situated at the center of the South Indian Peninsula, about 400 kilometres (249 mi) southwest from the state capital Chennai and on the banks of the rivers Cauvery and Bhavani, between 11° 19.5" and 11° 81.05" North latitude and 77° 42.5" and 77° 44.5" East longitude. As per Census2011 alignments, Erode Urban Agglomeration is located on the Western Banks of the river Cauvery, while its Twin Urban Agglomeration headed by Kumarapalayam is on the Eastern Banks of Cauvery.^[1]

Erode is well known for handloom, powerloom textile products and readymade garments and hence it is called Loom City of India or Texvalley of India. Products such as cotton sarees, bed spreads, carpets, lungies, printed fabrics, towels, dhotis are marketed here in bulk. It has also been nicknamed as Manjal Maanagaram (Turmeric city) and Javuli Nagaram (Textile city). Erode is an important city in Kongu Nadu.

Demographics

As of 2001^[update], the Indian census^[2] indicates that Erode CBD (old municipal area) had a population of 150,541 in an area covering just 8.44 km²..

Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Erode has an average literacy rate of 78%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 83%, and female literacy is 72%.^{[citation needed]} In Erode, 9% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Etymology

Modern historians contend that Erode has its origin in Tamil Eru Odai ("two streams").^{[citation needed]} This claim is based on the existence of two water courses, Perumpallam in Surampatti and Kalingarayan Canal in Brahmana Periya Agraharam and Kasipalayam, themselves different neighboring villages (municipalities now) distinct outside the border of the old Erode village's boundaries.^{[citation needed]} There are no streams in the original township.

According to legend, Dakshaprajapathi, father-in-law of Shiva, conducted a yaga for which Shiva was not invited. However, his wife Dakshayini came against the wishes of her husband. Dakshayini was heartbroken, as she was not welcomed by her parents. She threw herself to the fire in the yaga kundam and burnt to ashes. On hearing this, Shiva was enraged and severed the fifth head of Brahma. Due to the Brahmahatyadosham, the skull remained stuck to Shiva's palm. He roamed throughout India, and when he arrived at Erode, the skull crashed and formed the Kapala Tirtham. The holy water of Kapala Tirtham can be found today at Arudra Kapaleeswarar Koil temple (to the left of the presiding deity in the form of a well) in Erode. This is also attested by the Bhairava Puranam. This is ratified by the presence of the place names where the other bits of skull shattered around, Vellode ("white skull"), Perode ("big skull") and Chithode ("small skull") which are located around Erode.

Vaishnavite theory states it is related to the shell of the Kurma Vishnu which fell at the spot.

Kaveri River, near the city

History

Main article: Erode Fort

Erode was under the regime of local Gangakulam kings forming indegenous Chera kings and Western Ganga Dynasty. After a short rule of Cholas with Dharapuram as their Headquarters, Muslims (Modeen Sulthans) took over the rule after which Nayakars of Madurai ruled.

Hyder Ali's Regime Then Hyder Ali and Tippu Sultan, with occasionally rebelling polygar Dheeran Chinnamalai had their sway. In 1799, when Tippu Sultan lost to the British, the East India Company took over the administration after hanging Dheeran Chinnamalai at Sankagiri hill Fort, the Armoury Ware-house of Erode on those days.

During Hyder Ali's regime, Erode was fortificated and flourished with 300 houses and a population of 1500^{[citation needed]}. A mud fort, with a garrison of 4000 soldiers surrounded by coconut groves and fertile lands formed the boundary with river Kaveri on the north and Kalingarayan Canal as the eastward boundary (by Bucchanan 7th and 8 November 1800).

Owing to the successive wars of Marathas, Mysore and British invasions, Erode almost was deserted and ruined, including the Fortification Rampart. However, as peace was restored by the British, people returned and settled here. Within a year it began to show growth.^{[citation needed]}

The garrison withdrew in 1807, and the ruined fort at the centre of the city was leveled as a relief work during the famine of 1877. The place enclosed within the rampart was occupied by houses, but still the place was called as Fort and there were two big religious Hindu Temples, for Lord Shiva and Vishnu, still remains as inside the Fort.

Erode formed part of the ancient Kongu country known as Kongu Nadu, whose history dates back to the Sangam period era. It is found that in the early days, this area was occupied by tribes, most prominent among them being the "Kosars" reportedly having their headquarters at 'Kosamputhur' which is believed to have in due course become Coimbatore. These tribes were overpowered by the Rashtrakutas from whom the region fell into the hands of the Cholas who ruled supreme during the time of Raja Raja Chola. On the decline of Cholas, the Kongunadu came to be occupied by the Chalukyas and later by the Pandyas of Madurai and Hoysalas.

Projected population

Year	Population	Type	Source
1991	159,232	census	official
2001	150,541	census	official
2011	156,953	provisional	[3][4]

no.	Domain	Population Rank	Rank in UA	Source
1	World	n/a	n/a	n/a
2	Asia	Nil	Nil	[3][4]
3	India	356		[5][6]
4	Tamil Nadu	7	6	[7][8]

Geography and climate

Erode Local planning Area extends up to 54sq.km. within the city, and will be extended to 129 km².

Erode
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D     14   30 18     12   32 19     19   35 21     53   35 23     76   34 23     38   31 22     57   30 22     42   31 22     56   32 22     153   31 22     123   29 21     50   29 19 Average max. and min. temperatures in °C Precipitation totals in mm Source: Erode district collectorate
Imperial conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D     0.6   86 64     0.5   90 66     0.7   95 70     2.1   95 73     3   93 73     1.5   88 72     2.2   86 71     1.7   88 72     2.2   90 71     6   88 72     4.8   84 69     2   84 66 Average max. and min. temperatures in °F Precipitation totals in inches

Erode in general is characterised with scanty rainfall and a dry climate. The maximum rainfall is recorded in Gobichettipalayam. The Palghat gap in the Western Ghats, which has a soothing effect in the climate of Coimbatore District, does not render much help in bringing down the dryness of the climate in this area. The cool-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 the Erode region.

Erode has moderate-dry weather throughout except during the monsoon season. Generally the first two months of the year are pleasant, but in March, the mercury gains an upward trend which persists till the end of May. The highest temperature is normally recorded during May. The scanty showers during this period do not provide any relief from the oppressive heat. There is a light improvement in the climate during June–August period. During this pre-monsoon period, the mercury reverses its trend and by September, the sky gets overcast heavily but the rains are meagre. the north-east monsoon sets in vigorously only during October–November and by December, the rains disappear rendering the climate clear but pleasant.

Architecture

Main article: Erode Fort

Erode was built around the Hyder Ali's Fortificated rampart. Even though now the Fort was no more, but the religious temples of Lord Shiva and SriRanganathar occupy the area. These two temples were built together inside a single fort, still unites the Saiva and Vaishnava concepts of Hinduism. Concentric rectangular streets surround the temples, symbolizing the structure of the cosmos. The entire city is laid out in the shape, with these Fortified temples as the Centre. The main business district of Erode is formed around this area, such as, Easwaran Kovil street, Clock Tower, Brough Road, PS Park, etc.

Civic administration

Typical streetlife near Clock Tower near PS Park

Main article: Erode Municipal Corporation

Erode city is administrated by Erode Municipal Corporation, 45 Wards^{[citation needed]}. It also serves as the headquarters of the district with the same name (Erode District). The city has one Member of Parliament constituency.

The city is headed by a Mayor, the Deputy Mayor and several councillors representing the administrative wards; as well as a corporation Commissioner of the rank of IAS to administer the city. The district is headed by the District Collector of the rank of IAS. The District court is the highest court of appeal in Erode.

The Erode Municipality which was first constituted in 1871, was upgraded from selection grade Municipality to special grade Municipality with effect from 1 March 1980 and later to City Municipal Corporation on 1 January 2008.

Police force

The city's police force is headed by a Superintendent of police (SP). This post will soon be replaced by a City Police Commissioner in the rank of Inspector General (IG) of Police.^[9]

Direction compass

Transportation

Main article: Transport in Erode

Road

The roadway connects all the parts of the state and nearby states such as Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh with the city. The City has both local (City) and mofussil (city-to-city) bus services with connections to nearby towns and villages. Plenty of city buses are ply to connect all parts of the city. One can get buses from Erode to almost any part of the state.

Busiest Arterial Road of the city - Brough Road

Intra-city transportation

• Deluxe Service
• Bus Station to Bus Station
• Railway Junction Campus Services
• Night Services

The Central Bus Terminus of the city is the first in India, to provide Air-Conditioned waiting Hall for passengers. It is given Grade-A. It avails both City bus terminal, Mofussil terminal and additionally for Mini bus service in the city. It is located near Swastik Circle, so might be called Swastik Bus Terminus.

Other bus stations in the city include Solar(South), Thindal(West), and one proposed at Chithode, off NH-47 By-pass, to make it as Integrated Bus Terminus for Erode.

Also there are a few bus stations inside the city, providing only city bus services, at Railway Junction Campus, Surampatti, Pallipalayam and SPB Colony.

Inter-city transportation

TNSTC - ERODE

The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) has a divisional headquarters at Erode. Originally called as Jeeva Transport Corporation (JTC), it came into being by bifurcation of the Cheran Transport Corporation (headquartered at Coimbatore). It started functioning from 1 April 1983, with the principal area of operation in the Erode District, parts of Tirupur, Namakkal, Salem and Karur Districts. It was renamed as Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation, Erode Limited (Coimbatore Division-II) on 1 July 1997. The fleet strength as on 31 March 2005 was 1218. During the year 2003-2005, 114 buses were purchased for replacement.

Special services

• ERO-100 Nonstop service between Erode-Coimbatore
• ERO-100 A/C Express Nonstop
• Byepass Express Marcopolo Erode-Coimbatore
• 1-2-3 Service between Erode-Coimbatore
• Byepass NH-47 between Coimbatore-Salem via Erode bypass

Distances from other major cities

Sl no	City	Distance (km)
1	Chennai	428
2	Bangalore	260
3	Coimbatore	89
4	Salem	66
5	Trichy	125
6	Tirupur	50
7	Karur	66
8	Mysore	180
9	Tirunelveli	315
10	Madurai	200
11	Ooty	135
12	Vellore	250
13	Mangalore	315
14	Karaikudi	350
15	Kochi	310
16	Thrissur	190

Highways

• NH-47 connecting Salem – Coimbatore – Cochin – Kanyakumari passes through Erode and By-pass via Bhavani(Lakshminagar by-pass), Chithode, Perundurai, which is the major National Highway connectivity for the city.
• SH 79 connecting Rasipuram - Tiruchengode - Pallipalayam - Erode

Proposed highways

• NH-67A connecting Karur – Erode – Sathy – Mysore
• Another planned from Erode (Bhavani) – Anthiyur – Bangalore
• A goods cum electric power way between Erode and Mettur
• SH-15 connecting Erode – Gobi – Sathy – Ooty

Rail

Main article: Erode Junction

Platform view in Erode Junction Railway Station

Erode Junction Railway station located near Bull-fight Circle. Two new lines have been proposed for Mysore (via Gobichettipalayam, Chamaraj Nagar) and Palani.

Line No.	Towards	Passing Through Station	Type / Track
1	Salem Junction	Sankari Durg	Broad, Electrified - Double Track
2	Coimbatore Junction	Tiruppur	Broad, Electrified - Double Track
3	Trichy Junction	Karur	Broad, Single Track
4	SPB Paper Factory	Electric Locomotive Shed	Broad - for Goods
5	SIPCOT - SEZ (Perundurai)	Diesel Locomotive Shed	Broad - for Goods

It has state of the art technology in electrification and was the first electrified link from Chennai with broad gauge conversion. Erode Junction has the distinction of being the third cleanest railway junction in India, after Bhopal Habibganj Railway Station (Bhopal) and Secunderabad Railway Station (Hyderabad) in India.

It also serves as the hub for water filling facilities, food provision and toilet cleaning to all long distance trains that run along the length and breadth of the country via Erode. The station is well connected by buses round the clock. And there is one Local Town Bus Terminus in the Railway Junction Campus for City Buses all round the entire city.

Air

Nearest airports to the city are;

• Coimbatore Airport (85 km)
• Salem Airport (75 km)

Water

Inland water transportation is found in Bhavani River and Cauvery. Motor boat and ferry boat services are available to pass through the rivers.

Permanent boat stations are available at Lakkapuram, Solar, Natadreeswarar Temple, Karungalpalayam, Pallipalayam, Agraharam, Karanampalayam, Bhavani and Kalingarayanpalayam.

Education

Main article: List of Educational Institutions in Erode

Erode apart from Textile, Agriculture, Industries and Hospitals, stands front as a major Education hub of the state.

Medical institutions

Erode houses a medical college IRT Perundurai Medical College, and a Technological Institute Institute of Road & Transport Technology, run by all transport corporations of Tamil Nadu(TNSTC).

• Engineering and Technology:
• The Institute Of Road and Transport Technology (IRTT)
• Kongu Engineering College, Perundurai
• Bannari Amman Institute of Technology (BITs), Sathy
• EBET Group of Institutions, Kangayam
• Erode Sengunthar Engineering College, Thudupati
• Velalar Engineering College of Technology, Thindal
• Maharaja Engineering College, Perundurai
• SSM College for Engineering & Technology, Komarapalayam
• Sasurie College Of Engineering, Vijayamagalam
• Surya Engineering College, Mettukadai
• Al-Ameen College of Engineering, Nanjai-Utthukuli
• Nandha Engineering College, Perundurai Road
• Nandha College of Technology, Perundurai Road
• Sri Venkateshwara Educational Trusts (Engineering College, School), Gobi
• M.P.Nachimuthu M.Jaganathan Engineering college, Chennaimalai
• Ramanathan College of Engineering, Vijayamangalam
• Selva Kumar Engineering College, Sivagiri, Erode
• Rabindranath Tagore College of Engineering, Erode

Arts and science institutions

• Chikkaiah Naicker College [1954] [co education] Erode-4
• Erode Arts and Science college for Men, Rangampalayam
• Sri Vasavi College of Arts & Science, Bhavani Road
• Vellalar Arts & Science College for Women, Thindal
• Gobi Arts & Science College, Gobi-53
• Kongu Arts and Science College, Nanjanapuram
• Erode Arts for Women, Rangampalayam
• Sri Vasavi Self Finance Arts & Science College, Bhavani Road
• Bharadhidasan College of Arts & Science, Ellispettai
• Sree Amman Arts & Science College, Chithode
• CSI College of Arts & Science, PS Park
• Vellalar Arts & Science College for Women, Thindal
• Navarasam Arts & Science College for Women, Arachalur
• K M C College of Arts & Science, Muthur
• Cherraan Arts & science College, Thitupaarai, Chennimalai
• Maharaja Arts & Science College for Women's, Perundurai Road.
• PKR Arts & Science College for women, Gobi-76
• Sardha Arts & Science College for women, Gobi-53
• Kaamadhenu Arts & Science College, Sathy
• Ayyan Thiruvalluvar Arts & Science College, Sathy

Health care

In addition to Thandhai periyar Government General Hospital, many private hospitals such as Lotus Multi-speciality Hospitals, Idhayam Apollo Specialty Hospital, Maruthi Medical Center Hospital(MMCH), Kovai Medical Center Hospital(KMCH)and Erode Trust Hospital, make the city a destination for health care combined with heritage tourism at an affordable cost.

Apart from these major hospitals, the city houses a lot of hospitals, even a small street will have minimum two hospitals. IRT Perundurai Medical College managed by Institute of Road & Transport runs a big hospital with Research Center.

Politics

Erode has become a separate parliamentary constituency Erode Parliamentary Constituency in effect with the revised demarcation of constituencies.

Parliamentary Constituency	State Assembly Constituencies	Districts Covered
Erode	Erode East, Erode West, Modakurichi & Komarapalayam,Kangeyam	Erode, Namakkal ( Erode City )
Tirupur	Anthiyur, Bhavani, Gobichettipalayam, Perundurai	Erode, Tiruppur

^[10]

Economy

Erode and its surrounding areas are having very good infrastructural base. Small Scale Industries are providing large-scale employment next to Agriculture in this area. It have played a very important role in the area's economy by providing large scale employment opportunities at fairly low capital cost, a wide industrial base, easy scattering of industries in rural areas and concentration of certain industrial groups at specific areas.

Fabrics, like rugs, made in Erode are famous throughout India & are being exported

The ERODE City Stands	Industries / Sectors / Areas
First	Turmeric production & Marketing Agriculture Beverages Jute, Hemp & Mesta Textile Products
Second	Cotton Textiles Manufacturing & Export Leather Manufacturing Food Products
Third	* Basic Metal Products

Erode’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth for year 2008 stood at 15.5 per cent was the top in the State and ahead of the State’s [GDP] growth by 4 per cent.^[11]

The industries that are located within Erode city belong to mainly oil and rice mills and allied trades, such as engineering works, automobiles and power looms. The industries such as dyeing and powerloom textiles are predominant in Local Planning Authority. Industries belonging to Dhal mill, Cotton textiles, Vanaspathy manufacturing, wax and screen printing, powerloom, sizing, wrapping and printing press are also found in and around Erode city.

Within the city, the industrial units occupy 16.69% of the city area whereas the industrial belt as a whole covers 136 hectares and accounts for 4.80% of the Erode LPA.

The extent of the Erode local planning area (LPA) is 76.21 km². Developed land within the local planning area constitutes 13.44% of the total area. The developed area in the municipal area alone constitutes 83.25% of the total municipal area.

The commercial area has been developed along the roadsides in all major roads, in municipal area along Kongan road near the southern boundary of the local planning area. The commercial area in Erode city is concentrated near the junction of Brough road and Cutchery road and Bazaar area, i.e., around PS Park

Erode is one among the industrially developing Cities. Industry and Trade occupy a place of prominence in the economy of the City. Industries that flourished in early days in and around Erode area were handloom weaving and carpet manufacturing. The advent of modern era has changed these industries to some extent and the powerloom weaving is slowly replacing it. There are 24189 registered SSI units as on 31.12.2000 in the district besides 59 Large Scale Units.

Automotive

In manufacturing and automobile sector, The Bharath Enterprises and Sakthi Auto-components Limited of Erode plays a major role. It produces components for 73 kind of branded Automobiles. The major manufacturing unit is located near Perundurai on NH-47, connecting Coimbatore.

Textiles

Textile is the major business in the city. Erode is well known for marketing of handloom, power-loom and ready-made garments and textiles. Loomed products are marketed here in bulk. Erode produces about 47% of state's total textile needs. Erode occupies many textile markets, among which Gani Market in PS Park, is the biggest one. Merchants from all over India participate in this. The market opens on Monday evening and closes on Tuesday morning, and mean-whiles it takes a turn-over of about 5-6 Crores of Indian Rupees. Behind this, the other textile markets in the city are open for all days. Most of the people involved in textiles are migrants from U.P., Bihar, Rajasthan. There exist over 1000 such families in Erode. One would find most of their offices in areas like N.M.S Compound, Thirunagar Colony and Indra Nagar,Chockanathar street.

Power-Loom, Hand-Loom were major occupation in this area, producing a lot of textile goods.

Leather industries and tanneries

Erode stands second in leather processing, next only to Ambur of Vellore District. Erode-Bhavani, a 10 km long belt is completely occupied by Leather processing industries and Tanneries, integrating the town of Bhavani with Erode. After completely occupying this length, they are now shifting towards Chithode line.

Paper manufacturing

Seshasayee paper boards is the second largest company, next to TNPL, located in pallipalayam across Cauvery. They were the first to introduce the use of baggase from sugarcane to provide eco-friendly papers. It has its own sugar cane processing factory, to get the baggase for their own. They provide a large residential area for their employees in Erode, named SPB Colony.

Sugar industries

Erode houses many Sugar-cane processing industries to extract juice from the cane and to make sugar and the remains to be used as baggase for paper manufacturing, which include Sakthi Sugars, Ponni Sugars and E.I.D Parry's.

SIPCOT/SEZ

Perundurai, an industrial sub-urb of Erode houses SIPCOT Industrial Complex, is one of the major industrial projects, which houses a lot of textile, leather processing, steel, food processing industries. This industrial complex is under expansion and processed with starting of Textile SEZ. Parryware is going to install a new modernised manufacturing unit in this Special Economic Zone.

There are two SIDCO Industrial Estates, one near Diesel-shed and another near N.Uttukuli-Solar, managed by EDISSIA, Small Scale Industries Development Association of Erode.

Retail

Retail industry plays a major role in the revenue of the city. This is evident from existing super markets like Kannan Departmental Stores, Sangeetha Shopping Malls, Spencer's Daily, Big Bazaar, More, Sakthi Super Market and on-going malls construction like Relance Trendz.

In line with the ancient architecture of the city, the business set up in the city is confined to a particular industry in a street and can find series of shops selling the similar products. RKV Road is crowded with branded Textile and Jewellery showrooms. Easwaran Kovil Street is fully stuffed with thousands of whole-sale textile merchants shops, Gandhiji Road with Textile Retail shops and textile markets, Hundreds of Jewellery shops in Pon Street, Goods Transports and Fruit Godowns in Nethaji Road, Electronic goods in Brough Road, Automobile spare parts in EVN Road and Mobile show rooms in Mettur Road, hardwares in Sathy Road, Non-veg food stuffs in Surampatti 4 Roads, all exclusive showrooms in Perundurai Road. Printing and Hotels in Akil-medu Street, Books and Note Books in PS Park. There are separate streets with retail shops for decorative articles, Bangles, Gift Articles, Gold and Ornaments, Chemicals and Pharmas etc.

There are cinema halls or multiplexes for all classes of people. Apart from Tamil movies, some of Hindi and English movies also released in the city. Muthuram Complex, Brough Complex and Corporation Shopping mall near Clock Tower form the major landmarks for the retail business outlets in the city. There are other shopping places like Mega Mart, Big Bazaar, Raymonds, Chennai Silks, Kalyan Jewellers, Sangeetha Shopping Malls, TATA Gold-plus, Peter England, Alukkas, Kannan Departments, Derby, Titan Raaga, Malabar Gold, Textile bazaars,Sri Durga Textiles,Sri Ganapthi Textile,Sri Karthikeya textiles etc.

Apart from FMCG retail, Erode is also famous for hardware, motor and pumps retail. Lot of people from neighboring village and Karnataka will come to sell turmeric and they shop cheap hardwares in Erode.

Agriculture

Erode is a very important market centre for Turmeric, and coconut. The coconut and turmeric is received in major part from Erode, and in minor from other parts of Tamil Nadu, and adjoining districts like Mysore, Chamarajanagar in Karnataka State.

It is famous also for rice and oil mills, as well as dairy. It is also one of the largest coconut oil producers in south-India.

Livestock

Erode is especially notable for its bulls. Erode district is well known for fighter breed bulls, from Erode, Palayakottai, Kangeyam, Sivagiri, etc. Usually the majestic Kangeyam bull is involved in the game.^[12]

Sallikattu -சல்லிகட்டு or Eruthazhuvuthal -ஏருதழுவுதல் is a bull taming sport played in Tamil Nadu as a part of Pongal celebration. This sport is also known as "Manju Virattu", meaning "chasing the bull".

The Bull-fight Circle (காளைமாடு சிலை சதுக்கம்) is a major landmark and also the business centre near Erode Junction railway station.

Spices

Turmeric powder, used extensively in Indian cuisine, finds the Asia's largest & important market center in Erode

Erode stands first in production and marketing of Turmeric, all over Asia. Erode processes three major markets for Turmeric Trading, in which merchants from most of the southern states participate.

Tourism and landmarks

Religious places

Fortified Temples at Erode Fort

The city is built around a demolished fort, which includes a temple for Arudra Kabaleeswar (Shiva) praising the Saiva concept and another for Kasthuri Ranganatha Perumal (Vishnu) praising the Vaishnava concept of Hinduism. The speciality is that both are in the same campus for unity.

• Thindal Murugan Temple
• Kongu Tirupati
• Perumal malai
• Lakkapuram
• Natadreeswarar Temple - The hillock temple is situated in the middle of the river - middle not only breadth-wise but also length-wise at the center between Kudagu(origin) and Poompuhar(Bay of Bengal as destination).
• Bhavani-Sangameswarar Temple - Temple on island between River Cauvery and Bhavani, where both merges together with Lokabhavani, an invisible holy river. This place is called as Kooduthurai or Tiriveni of South, found with Sangameswarar Temple.
• Tiruchengode
• Chennimalai
• Sivagiri, Erode
• Kodumudi

Churches

• CSI Brough Church - named after Brough, who developed the town near PS Park
• St. Mary's Cathedral - a Roman Catholic church
• Lourde Matha Forane Church
• Carmel Church

Ancient monuments

• E.V.R Corporation Museum
• Thandhai Periyar - Arignar Anna Memorial
• Thanthai Periyar Memorial House is a Sociological Museum, which depicts the life history of Thanthai periyar, the social reformer.
• Jain Temples - Backside of Krishna Talkies,Erode, Vijayapuri and Aval Poondurai.
• Sankagiri Fort - Rock Fort on Sankari Hill with 14 circular ramparts from the bottom to top of the hill in a concentric fashion - Armoury Ware House of Tipu Sultan for ancient Erode

Recreation

• V.O.Chidambharam Park - entertainment, recreation, zoological park, exhibition grounds, sports stadium
• Panneer selvam Park - small park
• Vellode Birds Sanctuary
• Sampath Nagar Park
• Periyar Nagar Park
• Sakthi Park

Cuisine

Erode cuisine is predominantly South Indian with Rice as its base. Erode flavours are generally fairly mild to spicy. One can get to taste the authentic Kongu cuisine in Erode. Most locals still retain their rural flavour, with many restaurants serving food on a banana leaf. The Pallipalayam variety of dishes is very special and popular throughout South India. Pallipalayam Chicken is known for its spicy curry. North Indian, Chinese and continental cuisines are also available in the city restaurants. The Keda Virunthu (Mutton treat) is also famous also available in most of the Restaurants and Hotels.

Media and entertainment

Print and electronic media

Media	Type	Publishers
Newspapers	Daily	Daily Thanthi, Dina Malar, Dinakaran, Kalai Kadir, Dina Boomi, Malai Malar(E), Tamil Murasu(E) The Hindu, Deccan Chronicle, The New Indian Express
TV Channels	Satellite & Cable - Local	Kongu Channel, King TV - 1, King TV - 2, Polimer Channel, MCN TV, SCN TV, Karan TV, Karan Musix, S TV, V TV, TN TV.
Radio Channels	AM & FM	Suriyan FM (93.5 MHz), Kodai FM (AIR-100.5 MHz (Kodaikanal)), Yercaud FM (103.7 MHz), Radio Mirchi, Hello FM, Kongu Engg College FM (90.4) (EDU) Sengunthar Engg College FM (EDU)
Websites	Internet	Searcherode.com

Notable people

• Periyar E. V. Ramasamy - social reformer
• Tiruppur Kumaran - freedom fighter
• Srinivasa Ramanujan - mathematician
• K. B. Sundarambal - actress, singer
• Dheeran Chinnamalai - Freedom fighter
• K.N.Kuppusamy Pillai - Freedom fighter,Ex.Chairman & Patron
• E. V. K. Sampath - politician and Tamil orator
• E. V. K. S. Elangovan - former Union minister from Congress
• K. Bhagyaraj - a Tamil film director, actor, writer and producer
• Rajakumaran - a Tamil film director
• Nagesh-a Tamil Film Actor
• Sundar.C - a Tamil film director
• Kutraleeswaran - a marathon swimmer

Twin Cities of Erode

• Bhavani-Komarapalayam
• Pallipalayam

See also

• Erode Municipal Corporation
• Erode district
• Erode Fort
• Erode Junction
• Erode (Lok Sabha constituency)
• List of Educational Institutions in Erode
• Institute of Road & Transport Technology
• IRT Perundurai Medical College
• ^[13]

References

1. ^ "About Erode". http://www.kasibuilders.com/erode.htm. 
2. ^ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. http://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999. Retrieved 2008-11-01. 
3. ^ ^{a b} World-gazetter population estimation of Asian cities- Proper Place
4. ^ ^{a b} World-gazetter population estimation of Asian cities-Agglomeration
5. ^ World-gazetter population estimation of Indian cities - Proper Place
6. ^ World-gazetter population estimation of Indian cities- Agglomeration
7. ^ World-gazetter population estimation of Tamil Nadu cities - Proper Place
8. ^ World-gazetter population estimation of Tamil Nadu cities - Agglomeration
9. ^ E.g
10. ^ "List of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies" (PDF). Tamil Nadu. Election Commission of India. http://archive.eci.gov.in/se2001/background/S22/TN_ACPC.pdf. Retrieved 2008-10-09. 
11. ^ "Erode GDP is better than that of State". The Hindu (Chennai, India). 15 December 2007. http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/15/stories/2007121553460300.htm. 
12. ^ Senaapathy Kangayam Cattle Research Foundation
13. ^ "Official Website of Erode District". Govt. of Tamil Nadu, India. http://www.erode.tn.nic.in/. 

[1].

External links

• Erode (official website).
• Erode Municipal Corporation (official website).
• Erode District Police Official Website
• Erode lacks necessary industrial infrastructure
• Erode Online