Erode is the seventh largest urban agglomeration of the South Indian state, Tamil Nadu and serves as administrative headquarters of Erode District. It has a total population of 157,101.
The highest employment in the district is in Textile, Food based, Cotton and Leather industries. The district has 46% of the workforce employed in the Agricultural Sector, 49% in the Industrial Sector and the remaining 5% are Household workers.
The root for the name of the town "ERODE" may be because of the existence of Eru Odai, meaning two rivers in Tamil i.e, two water courses, viz., Perumpalayam and Kalingarayan Canal. But, there is also a legend which says that the place apparently derives its name from the words "Eera Odu" which means "wet skulls". According to the story, Dakshaprajapathi, who had given his daughter in marriage to Lord Siva, conducted a Yaga. For this Yaga, Lord Siva was not invited. However, Dakshyayini came to take part in this Yaga much against the wish of her husband Lord Siva. On coming to Yagakundam, Dakshyayini was not welcomed by her parents or anyone. She was vexed 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 present including Brahma. The skulls and bones were thrown in River Cauvery and remained wet always. Hence the name "Eera Odu" (wet skull) - Erode.
Erode district was previously a part of Coimbatore district and it has been bifurcated from Coimbatore as per the G.O.Ms.No. 1917 (Revenue), dated 31.8.1979. As per GO (Ms) No.618, dated 24th October 2008, Erode district is reorganized and 2 taluks (Dharapuram and Kangeyam ) transferred to the newly formed Tiruppur district. Now the district has 2 Revenue Divisions and 5 Taluks. There are 306 Revenue Villages. Of these, 287 are inhabited villages in the district.
Erode District lies 171.91 meters above mean sea level. The soil of the District is predominantly red sandy to red gravelly type in the taluks of Bhavani, Erode, and Perundurai. Red loamy soil occurs at the bottom of the valleys in the taluks of Gobichettipalayam and Sathyamanagalam.
