Millions of people switched off non-essential lights and lit diyas (earthen lamps) and candles in their balconies and verandas on Sunday night following a call this week from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to "challenge the darkness spread by the Coronavirus", which today crossed 3,500 cases nationwide.

As the clock struck 9 pm tens of thousands of diyas, a traditional lamp usually seen during Diwali and other festive occasions, were lit as people wearing face masks burst firecrackers, blew conches (horns) and shouted and cheered in response to the Prime Minister's call.

At around 9.30 pm, Prime Minister Modi tweeted a photo of him lighting a lamp at his official residence in Delhi. Wearing a blue kurta, the Prime Minister also posted a short Sanskrit poem that, roughly translated, read: "Salutations to the light of the lamp which brings auspiciousness, health and prosperity (and) which destroys inimical feelings; Salutations to the light of the lamp".

Interestingly, although the country is under the Prime Minister's "total lockdown" and only shops selling essential items are allowed to function, a number of makeshift roadside shops and carts sold diyas at various places across the country on Sunday.

The Prime Minister's request sparked fears that the sudden mass power fluctuations - as millions switched off and switched lights back - could overload the system.

The Union Power Ministry subsequently issued a statement allaying such fears. Nevertheless, state power boards had asked workers to be on stand-by.

The Union Power Ministry subsequently issued a statement allaying such fears. Nevertheless, state power boards had asked workers to be on stand-by.