The XXI Commonwealth Games are being hosted by the city of Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. This sports carnival will see the participation of over 6600 athletes belonging to 71 nations and territories.

Bradley McGee passes on the torch to Kurt Fearnley and celebrates the beginning.

Prince Charles declares the 21st Commonwealth Games open.

The Prince of Wales, Charles, represents Queen Elizabeth II at the Commonwealth Games, to receive the baton.

And that's the end of the CWG parade of the Nations.

Australia being the host enters the stadium with a loud cheer and applause, drenched in a rain of confetti.

Australian flag honoured during the ceremony.

A proud PV Sindhu leads the Indian contingent during the Parade of Nations.

Here enters Indian contingent, led by the champion shuttler PV Sindhu.

In the queue of Asian teams first up is Bangladesh.

Members of the Scotland delegation are the first ones to enter the stadium.

In the whole event, Gambia is the smallest team among the participants with just six athletes.

David Calvert of Northern Ireland is taking part in his 11th Commonwealth Games. His first appearance at the Games was in 1978.

Prince Charles and Camilla wave to athletes during the Opening Ceremony.

In the ceremony, 39 flag bearers are male, 32 are female and Athletics is the most-represented sport, with 24 flag bearers competing in Athletics.

Well, Isle of Man, Jersey, Northern Ireland with others has made their way into the stadium.

Ricki-Lee Coulter throughout her performance in the event.

 In this year, the 21st edition of Commonwealth Games will have 18 sports and seven para-sports with 275 medals in which India will be competing in 15 sports including one para event.

In the opening ceremony Australian Lawn bowls legend Karen Murphy recited the athlete's oath. A pre-show entertainment ahead of the Opening ceremony held at the Carrara Stadium.

This time Borobi became the official CWG Mascot.  Leading shuttler PV Sindhu will be India's flag bearer at the ceremony.

A totem ceremony - passing down of the knowledge from the ancestors/elders to the future generation concluded with the appearance of an eagle - a symbol of protection.

Australian national anthem played after Ted Williams delivered a message on behalf of Yugambeh Elders.

The Indian contingent at the ceremony, consisting of over 200 athletes, will be led by flag-bearer PV Sindhu, the Rio Olympic silver medalist. The squad also includes double Olympic medal list Sushil Kumar, and London Olympic bronze medal-lists Mary Kom, Saina Nehwal and Gagan Narang.

On Thursday, the first gold medal of the event will be contested in the women's triathlon. Australia is hosting the Commonwealth Games for the fifth time. When not competing, the athletes at the Gold Coast village can relax with virtual reality computer games, swim, lounge by a man-made waterfall, play the piano or sample the free lollies and ice cream.