Commonwealth Games off to grand start

New Delhi: After being plagued by months of chaos and embarrassing blunders, the Commonwealth Games kicked off in style at India's Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Sunday.

Prince Charles declared the 11-day event open amid thunderous applause at the jam-packed stadium with a capacity of 60,000.

In pictures: Commonwealth Games opening ceremony

The Prince of Wales and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, were introduced to the audience along with Indian President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh.

The opening ceremony was telecast live across the world and millions of TV viewers watched as spectators rapturously applauded the opening laser display and cultural extravaganza.

The stadium sparkled as the ceremony began. The lights were dimmed for a while during the blowing of conch shells as drumbeats and fireworks showcased the great Indian journey.

As drum beats reverberated around the stadium, spectators were left spell-bound by the performances and ambience.

Around 7,000 performers took part in the three-hour ceremony which culminated in a spectacular Bollywood show. A.R. Rahman, Oscar-winning composer of Slumdog Millionaire fame, provided a fitting finale to the ceremony with his official Games song.

Considered the third-biggest multi-discipline event after the Olympics and Asian Games, the showpiece will feature 7,000 athletes from 71 nations competing in 17 disciplines.