The second day of the five day celebration of Diwali is called Kalichaudas or Narakchaturdashi.
Kal means dark and Narak means hell. So this day is symbolic of the doing away of Evil from one's life by continuing the worship of Laxmi who epitomises Prosperity, Light, and Brilliance.
In another legend tied to this day is the story of how Lord Krishna empowered his wife Satyabhama to kill the demon king Narakasura, for it was ordained that he could only be killed by a woman. Krishna's spirit overcame Satyabhama when she struck Narakasura killing him. After the killing of the demon, Krishna smeared his forehead with the blood of the Demon King and then returned to his kingdom at dawn. To celebrate his victory the women of the kingdom smeared sandal wood paste on his body and bathed Krishna in rose water to wash away the filth of Narakasura's negative blood. Hence at dawn on Choti Diwali people take a sandal wood paste smeared, rose water bath.
Choti Diwali celebrations are austere. In the evening diyas are lit at the entrance and every window of the house to ward off evil with the brilliance of their created energy. Wearing lighter more austere jewellery by women is mandatory for the evening puja of Lakshmi on Kalichaudas night. The brilliance of the small gems coupled with the gold of the ornaments is worn to create an atmosphere of Brilliance, Prosperity, and Abundance.
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