While India toned down its New Year celebrations as a tribute to the Delhi braveheart, several cities across the world including Sydney, Dubai, London, Shanghai and Yangon welcomed 2013 with electrifying fireworks and merrymaking.

The first among the world's cities to usher in the brand new year was Auckland, New Zealand. In Sydney, people witnessed a pyrotechnics display worth $6.9 million.

In Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour, huge crowd gathered to view spectacular fireworks worth $1.6 million.

In addition to canon booms, North Koreans also witnessed a fireworks display over the Taedong River.

In Britain, tens of thousands turned up for a 11-minute fireworks display on the banks of the Thames and to catch a glimpse of the London Eye wheel which was lit up in bright colours.

In Dubai, the fireworks and festivities were centred at the World's tallest building, Burj Khalifa, where thousands gathered to bid farewell to 2012. The fireworks were projected on a 210-metre long screen.

Electrifying fireworks were displayed at the Shanghai and Beijing cities of China.

For the first time in five decades Myanmar witnessed a New Year celebration with an audience of approximately 90,000 people at Yangon.

In Jakarta, Indonesia, a four-mile street party was organised as part of New Year celebrations.

Fireworks explode above Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro
Fireworks explode above Copacabana beach in Rio de JaneiroReuters
Fireworks explode over and around the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House during new year celebrations
Fireworks explode over and around the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House during new year celebrations. Dec. 31, 2012. REUTERSReuters
Fireworks explode over St. Basil Cathedral at Red Square during New Year's Day celebrations in Moscow
Fireworks explode over St. Basil Cathedral at Red Square during New Year's Day celebrations in MoscowReuters
Fireworks explode from Taiwan's tallest skyscraper, the Taipei 101 during New Year celebrations in Taipei
Fireworks explode from Taiwan's tallest skyscraper, the Taipei 101 during New Year celebrations in TaipeiReuters
Fireworks explode above Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro
Fireworks explode above Copacabana beach in Rio de JaneiroReuters
A woman celebrates the New Year as she watches fireworks exploding above Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro
A woman celebrates the New Year as she watches fireworks exploding above Copacabana beach in Rio de JaneiroReuters
Fireworks explode over the temple of the Parthenon during New Year celebrations in Athens
Fireworks explode over the temple of the Parthenon during New Year celebrations in AthensReuters
Fireworks explode over the Funchal city bay during year end celebrations in Madeira Island
Fireworks explode over the Funchal city bay during year end celebrations in Madeira IslandReuters
Fireworks explode near the Malaysia's landmark Petronas Twin Towers during New Year celebrations in Kuala Lumpur
Fireworks explode near the Malaysia's landmark Petronas Twin Towers during New Year celebrations in Kuala LumpurReuters
Fireworks explode across the skyline near the London Eye during New Year celebrations in London
Fireworks explode across the skyline near the London Eye during New Year celebrations in LondonReuters