Bangalore at a Glance
Living in Bangalore
iStockphotoBangalore's population has diverse religious and cultural roots.
According to the 2011 census, Bangalore then had a population of nearly 8.5 million, making the capital of Karnataka, a state in South India, the third most populous city in the country. Life in Bangalore is full of challenges for foreign residents, but it can also be an interesting and enriching experience for expatriates.
As in many other Indian metropolises, there are always two sides to life in Bangalore: There is the modern city with huge, Western-style shopping malls, and wide roads, and then there are the narrow back alleys with their markets, animals, and – unfortunately – visible poverty. Expats tend to find life in their new home very manageable, though, once they have settled in.
Everyday Life
Despite Bangalore’s being one of the cleaner cities in India, its rapid growth in recent years has left the huge urban population struggling with the infrastructural problems resulting from this development. One of the major issues affecting daily life in Bangalore is road congestion, as the city has what might be the highest traffic density in the country.
Expats living in Bangalore will soon discover a much more pleasant aspect of daily life – cricket. As many national cricket heroes hail from Bangalore or spend much time there, the local enthusiasm for the national sport reaches unusual heights, even by Indian standards. Cricket players are A-list celebrities, and you will see their faces in numerous TV and poster ads.
Religious and national festivals also play an important role in Bangalore. The range of festivals reflects the rich mix of inhabitants from different religious and cultural backgrounds living in Bangalore. Apart from traditional Hindu festivals and folk Hinduism celebrated by the populace, major Muslim and Christian festivals are observed too. Some secular Western celebrations, such as Valentine’s Day, have also found their way into the holiday calendar of everyday life in Bangalore.
First Steps
All foreigners living in Bangalore who are older than 16 years and whose duration of stay exceeds 180 days must register at their nearest Foreigners’ Regional Registration Office (FRRO) within 14 days of arrival. Medical tourists and their attendants must always register, regardless of the duration of their stay.
The local FRRO has the following address:
55, Double Road
Near Indiranagar ESI Hospital
Indiranagar
Bangalore 560038
The FRRO issues a certificate to registered foreigners, which serves as a form of ID during their stay. Thus, a change of (or a prolonged absence from) your registered address must always be reported to the FRRO while you are living in Bangalore. In certain situations, expatriates may be asked by a high-ranking police constable or Foreigners’ Registration Officer to produce this Certificate of Registration.
You can find more information on the registration process for foreign residents living in Bangalore in the following part of our guide.
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