The world witnessed India's biggest sporting spectacle

Amidst fireworks and dazzling lights, the Prince of Wales and India's President Pratibha Patil declared the Commonwealth Games open. A capacity crowd at the J N stadium welcomed the participating nations.

India on Sunday put behind a nightmarish and scandalous build-up to the Games to come up with a dazzling and vibrant opening ceremony for the Commonwealth Games -- the country's biggest sporting spectacle, watched live by a global audience of around three billion.

Against the backdrop of an early October sunset, the spanking new Jawaharlal Nehru stadium turned into a golden hue as the Rs 44 crore aerostat lifted into the skies and a bevy of puppets danced and over 800 drummers heralded the event.

A spectacular laser fireworks show lit up the evening sky and India took a giant leap, 28 years after it hosted the Asian Games.

In a neat diplomatic compromise, Prince Charles, representing Queen Elizabeth, the head of the Commonwealth, and President Pratibha Patil did the honours at the inaugural ceremony, amid thunderous cheers from the capacity 60,000 crowd.

"I have much pleasure in declaring the 19th Commonwealth Games open," the Prince of Wales said, reading out a message from from his mother Queen Elizabeth, the head of the Commonwealth.

This was followed by the address of President Patil, who concluded by saying, "The 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi are now open; let the Games begin," signalling the formal commencement of the sporting extravaganza.