Melbourne loves a party and this time they invited Delhi, too. Delhi, nay India, in turn invited Melburnians to the next one in four years' time.

And, Delhi's invitation was carried by the Mumbai's glamorous set, led by none other than Aishwarya Rai, considered one of the most beautiful women in the world.

It was a glitzy party, typically Melburnian in nature, and it had a dash of Bollywood brought in by India, who had 11 minutes to themselves. It was an invitation so unique that it would be hard for the Commonwealth to turn down.

The Delhi segment was a blend of Bollywood and tradition with a riot of colours splashed around for good measure. Sure, Melbourne put up a great games and left people with greater memories on and off the field, but now for the next four years the focus will be on New Delhi.

The Indian segment has been in the making for months and the dancers, more than 400 of them, were picked from among the local Indians. They were trained and put through their paces by the likes of choreographer Shiamak Davar. The whole endeavour was given shape by Wizcraft, in what was one of their biggest shows.

The India segment led off with Isha Sharwani, daughter of dancer Daksha Seth and Australian composer, Vissaro. Isha's performance was a yoga-inspired dance.

And then Aishwarya Rai, straddling between Bollywood and Hollywood, took over and enchanted the 75,000-odd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) with a dance number.

Next it was Saif Ali Khan, a star here after his film 'Salaam Namaste' was shot entirely in Melbourne. He combined with Rani Mukherjee to dance to the tune of the special number, "Delhi Dhamaal' scripted by well-known lyricists, Gulzar and Javed Akhtar.

The number itself was performed to high-energy bhangra music.

But before the razzmatazz of the Indian segment, there was the traditional handover. Ron Walker's speech was followed by the Commonwealth Games flag being lowered, accompanied by the Wurudjeri Farewell song by a children's choir.

The flag party after folding the flag presented it to Melbourne's mayor John So, who passed it to Steve Bracks, the premier of Victoria and he in turn passed it to Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit.

The flag further changed hands and came to Suresh Kalmadi, chairman of the Organising Committee of 2010 games and he then handed it to Randhir Singh, vice-chairman of the committee.

Symbolically, the flag and responsibility of Commonwealth Games passed onto next host New Delhi, India, which officially accepted the Games Federation flag ahead of the 2010 event in Delhi.

Kalmadi, beaming from ear to ear in his address to the crowd at the MCG, said: "Melbourne 2006 has set high standards, and Delhi too shall deliver a fantastic Games in 2010."

"Thank you Melbourne - you people were truly very friendly. Thank you volunteers - you did a magnificent job. And now for a glimpse of what awaits you in Delhi."

Earlier on at the very start, it was fitting that Melbourne's 2006 Commonwealth Games began with a tribute to backyard cricket in the opening ceremony 12 days ago and at the closing the Melburnians paid tribute to their other great pastime - footy, Australian Rules Football.

Paul Kelly, one of Australia's most famous singers, sang the 'Rally Round The Drum' as Melbourne's official farewell to the games. And then followed the ballerinas, the skipping girls, the acrobats, and much else.

Then as he sang, "I'm high on the hill, looking over the bridge to the MCG," he broke into leaps and bounds.

The song was accompanied by six Melbourne icons including the flame towers at South bank, the Skipping Girl sign in Victoria Street, Richmond (represented by young skipping girls); Flinders Street Station (commuters hurrying about); the Melbourne Cup (glamorous women with hats, and jockeys on hobby horses); Luna Park (children feeding ping pong balls to clowns), the Arts Centre spire (Shakespearean characters); the Royal Exhibition Buildings (Victoria's Fruit Fly Circus performing) and the Formula One Grand Prix (kids in F1 car costumes).

The Commonwealth Games Federation president Michael Fennell, then announced the most outstanding athlete. The David Dixon Award, named after a former federation administrator, went to Indian shooter Samaresh Jung, who won an incredible five gold medals in shooting events, as well as a silver and a bronze.

Finally, it was left to Prince Edward, the vice-patron of the CGF, to end the formalities. "In the name of the Commonwealth Games Federation, I proclaim the 18th Commonwealth Games, Melbourne 2006, closed," he announced to rousing cheers.

With that time had come for the finals segment dance, a la Melbourne style.

One final solemn thought: the focus shifts to New Delhi as Melbourne wraps up the Games tonight. Four years to go and a lot of work to do for New Delhi.