Periya is located 12 Km away from Kanhangad on the National Highway (N.H.17) in district Kasaragod and this place is one of the most popular places in the district since it hosts a few prominent educational institutions. Even though more places are mapped under 'Periya Village' as per documents, places around Periya bus stop junction and Periya bazaar are mainly considered as the heart of Periya.

Panchayath documents say as follows about the name 'Periya' :
About four century ago, a well known local nair family called Pukkalam Veetukar gave shelter to a mother and her teen-aged daughter who belonged to Periya tharavadu from Kottayam, near Tellichery. They had run away from there, due to communal riots. Later on Pukkalath Kurup married the beautiful girl who belonged to Periya tharavadu. Within a couple of years Periya family acquired all lands from Pukkalam tharavadu and the family name became the village's name. Thus this village got its name.

Even though Periya has a harmonious mixture of Hindus, Muslims and Christians at present, it has a dark past. There were various religious classifications based on caste and people were restricted to do jobs pertaining to their caste, follow specific life styles and it even reflected in their dresses and ornaments.

Periya G.L.P School was formed in the property and the building provided by Patel Kelu Nair in 1913 (for a monthly rent of Rs. 4/-) with the initiatives and supervision of Maliyekkal family. Later on Periya U.P. School had started in the building provided by Melathu Malinku Nair (for a monthly rent of Rs. 35/-).