New Delhi: Kindling the spirit of peace and friendship, the Olympic flame returned to the country after four decades, lighting up the streets of the capital city with enthusiasm and revelry as it completed a ceremonious journey marked by splendour and glamour.

Thousands of people lined up the streets as the flame criss-crossed the city, touching important landmarks across a 33.2 km route as part of an unprecedented global relay.

Flanked by majestic BMW motorcycles, the flame was carried by as many as 105 torchbearers comprising Olympians, sportspersons, film stars and other individuals who have excelled in different walks of life.

Lining up alongside some top sports personalities and corporate leaders were Bollywood heartthrobs Aamir Khan, Vivek oberoi, Aishwarya Rai and Bipasha Basu who added a touch of glamour to the historic torch relay as it made its sixth stop in the country.

The exotic element was provided by bedecked elephants, camels, horses and dancing troupes as the torch was relayed from the starting point at Qutub Minar, a 12th century Mughal tower, to Humayun's Tomb in Nizamuddin, Red Fort in Old Delhi before culminating at the National Stadium -- venue of the inaugural Asian Games in 1951.

The flame, carried in a special lantern, arrived at the Indira Gandhi International Airport aboard a special Boeing 747 chartered aircraft this morning before it started a six-hour journey, drawing enthusiastic crowds on the way.