The opening ceremony of the 2010 Commonwealth Games was held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi, India. It was a vibrant, colourful and brilliant display of India's varied culture in a plethora of cultural showcases.
The ceremony set the stage for 11 days of intense competition, which will see over 7000 athletes from 71 countries vying for honours.
A spectacular laser fireworks show lit up the evening sky and India took a giant leap, 28 years after it hosted the Asian Games.
The past few weeks of negative publicity that had dogged the nearly Rs 70,000 crore mega-event was quickly forgotten as the glittering opening ceremony, which encapsulated a fascinating mix of culture and modernity, kept the spectators enthralled for more than two hours.
Athletes from the Cook Islands arrive onto the field of the XIX Commonwealth Games opening ceremony at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi
England athletes led by flag bearer Nathan Robertson take part in the opening ceremony of the XIX Commonwealth Games in New Delhi
Brunei Darussalam athletes led by flag bearer Ampuan Ahad take part in the opening ceremony of the XIX Commonwealth Games in New Delhi
The Australian contingent at the opening ceremony.
Athletes from Canada take part in the opening ceremony of the XIX Commonwealth Games in New Delhi
A memorable performance indeed!
School children perform during the XIX Commonwealth Games opening ceremony at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi
India showcases to the Commonwealth its culture and tradition at the opening ceremony of the Games at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
A grand tribute to the tricolour.
A performer hits a giant drum at the Ceremony.
Giant puppets from Rajasthan left the viewers awestruck.
Fireworks light up the Jawaharlal nehru Stadium during the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games.
Pyrotechnics set off as the aerostat rises.
An interior view of the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium at the start of the XIX Commonwealth Games opening ceremony.
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, left, Britain's Prince Charles, second from left, Indian President Pratibha Patil, extreme right, attend the opening ceremony.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the Opening Ceremony.
Bangladeshi contingent
India's Congress Party President Sonia Gandhi gestures at the start of the opening ceremony
A sight to behold!
School children perform for the crowd during a pre-show of the XIX Commonwealth Games opening ceremony at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi.