Bangalore at a Glance
Living in Bangalore
Bangalore's population has diverse religious and cultural roots.
According to the 2011 census, over eight million people are currently living in Bangalore, 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 expats.
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 is the more traditional way of life in Bangalore, which can be observed in the back streets with their many markets, animals, and – unfortunately – visible poverty. Expats tend to find life in Bangalore very manageable, though, once they have settled in.
Living in Bangalore: Everyday Life
Despite being one of the cleanest cities in India, its rapid growth in recent years has left the huge urban population struggling with the many infrastructural problems resulting from this development. One of the major issues affecting daily life in Bangalore is road congestion, as people living in Bangalore face what is probably the highest traffic density in the country.
Expats living in Bangalore will soon discover that cricket is a pleasant aspect of daily life. As many national cricket heroes hail from Bangalore or spend much time there, the local enthusiasm for India’s 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 people’s life 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 people living in Bangalore, major Muslim and Christian festivals are observed too. Even secular Western celebrations such as Valentine’s Day have found their way into the holiday calendar of everyday life in Bangalore.
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 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 living in Bangalore, 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, expats living in Bangalore may be asked by a high-ranking police constable or Foreigners’ Registration Officer to produce this Certificate of Registration. The National Portal of India provides further guidance on this and other issues relevant to foreigners living in Bangalore.
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