Erode district

Erode District (: ஈரோடு மாவட்டம்) is a northern of the state of, , with  as its headquarters.

Until the year 1996, Erode district was named as Periyar District. Erode District was a part of Coimbatore district until Coimbatore was bifurcated on ,. It is also the home of social reformer (E.V. Ramasamy) and mathematician.

Erode district had a population of 2,581,500 as of 2001. It is 46.25% urbanised as per Census 2001. The district has a of 75.51% and is on the rise.

Geography
The district is bounded by to the north, and by  to the east. Across the Kaveri lies, and  districts. lies immediately to the south, and and  districts lie to the west. Erode District is and is situated at between 10 36” and 11 58” north latitude and between 76 49” and 77 58” east longitude.

The district comprises a long undulating plain, sloping gently towards the Kaveri river in the south-east. Three major tributaries of river Kaveri, the, and , drain the long stretch of mountains in the north. Other significant rivers are in the north and Vatamalaikarai odai and Uppar rivers in the south. The Palar constitutes the boundary between Erode district and Karnataka in the north. The main canal along with these rivers provide proper drainage and facilities for assured irrigation in the district.

Bhavani River
Bhavani rises in the Western Ghats of in  District of. It receives the, a perennial stream of Coimbatore District, and gets reinforced by the before entering Erode District in. Bhavani is more or less a 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 taluks. It feeds the Bhavanisagar reservoir, which takes an easterly course after Sathyamangalam taluk. Between Sathyamangalam and Gobichettipaalayam lies the, a mini dam constructed for agricultural purposes. Then it flows through Gobichettipalayam and Bhavani taluks before it ultimately joins Kaveri on the border of the Salem District. The place where Bhavani joins with river Kaveri is famous for of, where according to the  customs people perform the last rights for deceased near and dears.

Kaveri River
Kaveri rises in the Western Ghats of (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. From here it runs towards the southeast, forming the boundary between Bhavani Taluk of Erode District and Taluk of the neighbouring  District. The Bhavani River joins the Kaveri at the town of Bhavani.

Noyyal River
Noyyal river is noted for its capricious nature. This is fed mostly by the southwest monsoon but the northeast monsoon brings freshes, and this very often results in floods. In spite of its unpredictable character, the river helps to irrigate considerable areas in taluk of Coimbatore District and  taluk of Erode District.

Amaravati River
Amaravati river rises in the region of Kerala, and enters Erode District from Udumalaippettai taluk in Coimbatore District. The river flows through Dharapuram and Kangeyam taluk before it joins Kaveri in District.

Climate
The climate is dry and characterised by scanty rainfall. The maximum rainfall is recorded in and  s. Unlike nearby  district, Erode District has dry weather throughout the year except during the. The in, 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 a slight 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 are meagre. The northeast monsoon sets in vigorously only during October-November, and by December the rains disappear, rendering the climate clear but pleasant.

Administration
Erode District consists of 7 Taluks listed below
 * Sathyamangalam
 * Sathyamangalam
 * Sathyamangalam
 * Sathyamangalam
 * Sathyamangalam
 * Sathyamangalam
 * Sathyamangalam

The five in the district are
 * Dharapuram
 * Erode
 * Gobichettipalayam
 * Sathyamangalam
 * Sathyamangalam

Economy
Erode District is an important market centre for, a commonly used in. Turmeric is also used as a fabric. This turmeric is collected from Erode District and from adjoining districts of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, including. Other specialities include Uthukuli butter and Kangayam bulls.

Erode is well known for, textile products and readymade garments and hence called the powerloom city of India. Products such as s, bed spreads,, es, printed fabrics, , s are marketed here. In mid-2005, Bhavani Jamakkalam (Bhavani Bedsheets) was registered as a Geographical Indication by the Government of India.

Agriculture
Agriculture is the most important income source of this district. Paddy, Banana, Groundnut, Cotton and Sugarcane are some of the agricultural products. In Sathyamangalam Taluk, Flowriculture is an important source of income. With 43% share, the district is the top producer in Tamil Nadu.

Transportation
The transportation system in the district is well developed. Erode, being one of the prominent trading centres in the state, 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 and other district headquarters.
 * Rail Transport: Erode is an important railway junction with lines coming from the west coast and the district has thirteen railway stations including,
 * Uthukuli Panchayat Union (1)
 * Chennimalai Panchayat Union (3)
 * Modakurichi Panchayat Union (3)
 * Kodumudi Panchayat Union (6)


 * Road Transport: is headquartered at Erode. A nnumber of inter-district bus routes operated by the Corporation link Erode with other prominent places in and out of the district.
 * Nearest Airport: at Coimbatore, which is 90 kilo meters (56 miles) by road
 * Other modes: Navigable are available at five places in the district.

Communication
The district is also served by an extensive Postal, Telegraph and Telephone networks. It is connected to the rest of the state by system (STD). The telephone network within the city is also expanding rapidly.


 * Postal Divisions : 4 (Erode, Tiruppur, Pollachi and Dharapuram)
 * Head Post offices : 4
 * HSGT Category : 2 (Erode and Bhavani)
 * HSG II Category : 2 (Gobichettipalayam and Dharapuram)


 * Other Post offices : 319 (including extra departmental sub-post offices and telegraph offices)
 * Post and Telegraph offices : 144
 * Post offices with phone facilities : 144

Education
Erode has several facilities for higher education including a Medical College, nine Engineering colleges along with 18 Arts and Science Colleges.

Engineering Colleges

 * M.P.Nachimuthu M.Jaganathan Engineering college
 * (IRTT).
 * Bannari Amman Institute of Technology, Sathyamangalam
 * Nandha Engineering college
 * SSM Engineering college
 * Sasuri Engineering college
 * Erode Sengunthar Engineering college
 * Vivekandha college of Engineering for Women, Tiruchengodu
 * Erode Sengunthar Engineering college
 * Vivekandha college of Engineering for Women, Tiruchengodu

Pharmacy Colleges

 * Erode College of Pharmacy, Erode
 * Coimbatore College of Pharmacy
 * K.M.R College of Pharmacy
 * Nanda College of Pharmacy
 * Shoba College of Pharmacy

Arts and Science

 * Adharsh Vidhyalaya Arts & Science College
 * Bharathithasan College of Arts and Science
 * Bishop Arts and Science College, Dharapuram
 * Cheran's Arts and Science College
 * Chikkaiye Naiyakar College
 * Erode Arts College
 * Erode Arts College for Women
 * Gobi Arts and Science College Gobichettipalayam
 * Kamadenu Arts and Science College, Sathyamangalam
 * Karuppannan Mariappan College
 * Kongu Arts and Science College
 * Maharaja College for Women
 * Maharani Arts and Science College for Women, Dharapuram
 * Nandha Arts and Science College
 * Navarasam arts and science college for Women
 * P.K.R Arts and Science colloge for Women
 * Sree Amman arts and science college
 * Sri Vasavi College
 * Vellalar College of Ats and Science for Women
 * Vellakoil Arts and Science College Vellakoil

Schools

 * Railway Colony Municipal Higher Secondary School,Erode
 * Adharsh Vidhyalaya Higher Secondary School, Anthiyur
 * Al-Ameen Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Karungalpalayam, Erode
 * Amala Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Gobi
 * Bharathi Vidya Bhavan Matric Hr. Sec. School, Thindal, Erode
 * Carmel Higher Secondary School, Erode
 * Christhu Jyothi Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Erode
 * Erode Hindu Kalvi Nilayam, Sathyamangalam Road, Erode
 * Good Shepard Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Anthiyur
 * Government Higher Secondary School for Girls, Sathyamangalam
 * Ideal Higher Secondary School, Anthiyur
 * Kalaimagal Kalvi Nilayam, Erode
 * Navarasam Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Palliyuthu, Erode
 * Palaniyammal Girls Higher Secondary School, Gobi
 * Rajendhran Matric Higher secondary School, Vadugapatti
 * SARU Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Sathyamangalam
 * Saratha Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Gobichettipalayam
 * Sri Raghavendra Institutions, Karattur, Sathyamangalam
 * Viswesraya Higher Secondary School, Anthiyur
 * Vivekananda Higher Secondary School, Anthiyur
 * Kongu Matriculation School,Solangapalyam - 638 154 .0424-2351309.
 * Kongu Matriculation School,Kangayam