The Puthanchanta Sri Ujjain Mahakali Amman Devasthanam has a rich history dating back to around the 12th century. During that period, the Maharaja who ruled Venad commissioned the construction of significant temples, including the Padmanabhaswamy Temple.
For that purpose, Maharaja invited the skilled sculptors who played a crucial role in building large temples like ‘Tanjay Periya Kovil’ (also known as "Thiruvudaiyar Kovil") in Tamil Nadu, who resided in a place called Pathakkam, located in Moolakarapady on the Naganeri Path, Thirunalveli. These sculptors, along with their families, brought their sacred idol ‘Sri Ujjaini Mahakali’, with them when they arrived in Venad. The Maharaja of that time provided them with a place to live on ‘Rajaveethi’ and a dedicated site for performing puja and worshiping Sri Ujjaini Mahakali, precisely where the temple stands today.
Over many centuries, Sri Ujjaini Mahakali was initially worshiped in an earthen shrine and gradually transformed into the temple we see now. The Maharaja even gave ownership right over the property in which the temple is situated to the sculptors. The place where the temple is situated was named Puthanchanta centuries ago, and since then, the temple has been known as the ‘Puthanchanta Sri Ujjaini Mahakali Amman Devasthanam’.
Historically, ancient sources indicate that animal sacrifices (Mrigabali) were performed at this temple centuries ago. It is also said that the Kings during that period, would visit this temple to perform poojas with the 'Udavaal' (sword) at Amma's (the deity's) feet before participating in wars.
The annual festival is held here on the last Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday during the month of Kumbha. The main festival is the ‘Chaprathil Procession of Amman' on the last Tuesday of the Kumbha month. The main ritual here is the ‘Villu Pattu’. For the first festival (Monday), Sri Ujjaini Mahakali is domiciled by reciting songs (Tuesday). For the second festival, Abhishekam is performed and ‘Chaprathil Procession of Amman’ is paraded outside and Ardhayama Puja is performed at 1 O'clock in the night. For the third day (Wednesday), Abhishekam, Ponkala, Pushpabhishekam and are performed and the festival concludes with Guruthi Puja.
The temple's main deity is Sri Ujjaini Mahakali. In addition, the temple houses several revered sub-deities like Bhairava Swami, Ganapati Bhagwan, Ayyappan Swami, Ishakki Amman, Agni Madan Thampuran-Yakshi Amman, Malamadan Thampuran-Yakshi Amman, Nagas, which include Nagaraja, Nagayakshi, and Nagakanyaka.
According to divine prophecy, this temple is believed to be 850 years old.