Erode is located at Tamil Nadu. The district is surrounded by Karnataka in the north, Kaveri River in the east. To the South of the state lies the Dindigul District, towards the West of the District lies Coimbatore and The Nigiris districts lie to the west. The district is situated at between 10 36" and 11 58" north latitude and between 76 49" and 77 58" east longitude. Until 1996, Erode district was named as Periyar District. Erode in general is characterised with a scandy rainfall and a dry climate. The weather is dry throughout the year except during the monsoon season.

Origin of name of Erode
The place derives its name from the existence of the two rivers as Perumpalayam and Kalingarayan Canal.

There is another legend saying that Erode derives its name from the words "Eera Odu" which means "wet skulls". As per the myth, Dakshaprajapathi, who had given his daughter in marriage to Lord Siva, conducted a Yaga. For this Yaga, Lord Siva was not invited but his wife wanted to take part in the Yaga against her husband`s wish. But when she came to the Yagasthal, she was not welcomed by her parents or anyone. She was annoyed by their behavior and threw herself in the Yagakundam and burned to ashes. On hearing this, Lord Siva got highly enraged, proceeded to the sacrificial spot and threw every one into the fire. It is said that their skulls and bones were thrown in River Cauvery and remained wet always. Hence the name "Eera Odu" (wet skull), which later came to be known as Erode.

History of Erode
During AD 850, Erode was under the administration of Chera kings. After which during 1000 A.D. - 1275 A.D, Erode came under the rule of Cholas. Then it came under the control of Pandyan kings. After which the Muslims took over the rule and the district passed on to the hands of the Nayaks of Madurai. Later the district passed on to the hands of Hyder Ali and Tippu Sultan. In 1799 Tippu was succeeded by the British and Erode came under the domination of British East India Company.

Owing to the successive wars of Marathas, Mysore and British invasions the place become almost deserted and ruined. As peace was restored by the British, the people returned and settled here.

Earlier, Erode was part of Coimbatore. The history of Erode therefore lies intervened with that of Coimbatore. Jointly with Coimbatore district, it formed part of the ancient Kongu country known as "Kongu Nadu" history of which dates back to the Sangam era. In the early periods 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.

The Kosars were overpowered by the Rashtrakutas from whom the region fell into the hands of the Cholas who ruled supreme during the time of Raja Chola. On the decline of Cholas, the Kongunadu came to be occupied by the Chalukyas and later by the Pandyas and Hoysalas. As a result of internal strife, the Muslim rulers from Delhi interfered and thus the area fell into the hands of Madurai Sultanate. This region was later wrested by Vijaya Nagar rulers and it remained under Vijaya Nagar rule and later under the independent control of Madurai Nayakas. The rule of Muthu Veerappa Nayak and later that of Tirumalai Nayak were marked by internal strife and intermittent wars which ruined the Kingdom. As a result, the Kongu region(in which the present Erode District is situated) fell into the ha

1799, the Kongu region came to be coded to the East India Company by the Maharaja of Mysore who was restored to power by the company after defeating Tippu Sulltan. From then, till 1947 the area remained under British control.

Economy of Erode
Agriculture is the most important income source of this district. Paddy, Banana, Groundnut, Cotton and Sugarcane are some of the agricultural products. Floriculture is an important source of income in Erodu.

Erode is an important center Turmeric and spices. Other specialities include Uthukuli butter and Kangayam bulls. Erode is also well known for handloom and powerloom textile products and readymade garments and hence it is called powerloom city of India. Products such as cotton sarees, bed spreads, carpets, lungies, printed fabrics, towels, dhotis are marketed here in bulk. Erode is one among the industrially developing districts. Industry and Trade occupy a place of prominence in the economy of the district. . The other industries are Tanneries, Chemical & Plastic Products, Paper Products, Basic Metal Products industries etc. Erode is home to the largest Diesel and Electric locomotive sheds in Southern Railway.

There are 70 Large Scale Industries in this district. Most of the units are cotton textiles. 57 units are textile industries. The following table shows the number of large scale units product wise. There are Textile Industries, Engineering Industries, Sugar Mills, oil extraction mills etc. There are 5915 registered cottage industries.

Education in Erode
Erode has developed into an educational hub. Students from all over India come here for higher education. There are 19 arts and science colleges, and an Allopathy College. There are 106 Pre-Primary Schools 106, 1508 Primary Schools, 176 Middle Schools, 130 High Schools and 132 Higher Secondary Schools.

Transportation in Erode
Erode is well connected by air, rail and road. The nearest airport of Erode is at Coimbatore. The Erode junction is the busiest railway junction. Plenty of trains passes through this junction. There are plenty of busses at Erode connecting the city with other important cities.

Demography of Erode
As per the 2001 census, Erode had a population of 151,184. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Erode has an average literacy rate of 78% of which 83% are males and 72% are females.

Places of interest at Erode
Bhavanisagar Dam Dharapuram Thanthai Periyar Memorial House Thindal Vellode Birds Sanctuary Bhavani (Confluence of rivers Bhavani and Cauvery) Gobichettipalayam Pariyur Amman Temple Sathyamangalam forest sactuary for wild animals Kangayam Kodumudi Kodiveri