Arcot (Tamil:kadu) is a town and suburb of Vellore city in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. Located on the southern banks of Palar River at 12°54′N 79°20′E / 12.9°N 79.333°E / 12.9; 79.333, the city straddles a highly strategic trade route between Chennai and Bangalore, between the Mysore Ghat and the Javadi Hills - (Javvadhu malai). Its population in 1991 was 45,205; the surrounding area had a population of 114,760.