A benchmark index for the Indian equities markets rallied Tuesday to close almost 356 points higher and above the 17,000-mark, led by gains in heavyweight stocks like Reliance Industries, Infosys and HDFC. The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 16,768.63 points, closed at 17,099.28 points — up 353.93 points or 2.11 per cent from its previous close at 16,745.35 points. The Sensex climbed the 17,000-point mark for the first time in almost two weeks. It lost 188 points on Monday.The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange also ended in the green at 5,140.2 points, up 2.15 per cent.