Arcot (natively spelt as Ārkāḍu) is a town and urban area of Ranipet district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. Located on the southern banks of Palar River, the city straddles a trade route between Chennai and Bangalore or Salem, between the Mysore Ghat and the Javadi Hills (Javvadhu malai). As of 2018, the city had a population 129,640. The sweet makkan peda is a local speciality while Arcot biryani, a rice-based traditional food, is also served here.
