Periya has been an excellent place for different communities to live. Many old customs and rituals are still followed by people here. The communal environment is very harmonious compared to its neighbouring places.

There are few of old temples in and around this place. Some of them are: Koodanam Maha Vishnu Temple, Ayampara Sree Vishnu Temple, and temple in Meengoth. Most of them celebrate Utsavam annually with different forms of art such as vaadyam, nritham and sangeetham.

Since Brahmins and Nairs financially dominated in early years, they had an upper hand in education, art and literature. It's common in temples to conduct Kathakali, Kolkali and Poorakkali in connection with utsavam .

There were many rich nair tharavadu in Periya along with the establishment of marumakkathayam. Each tharavadu had its own Kuladaivam and were allocated separate place within the tharavadu compound. These old houses are perfect examples for ancient thatchu saasthra. Artists from Malayar, Vannar and Koppalar usually perform theyyakkolam of these kuladaivam and also for other temples in this village. There is a banana-leaf feast for the public associated with most of these festivals. Nowadays renovating and conducting kalashattu of old tharavadu or temples is becoming a practice. Examples are Periya Meethal Tharavadu and Pukkalathu Madakottil.

One of the famous Muslim mosques in this area, is situated nearby this village. It's known as Parapalli Makham Darga in Ambalathara. In this mosque, people offer prayers for all sorts of problems and they believe it gets resolved. It is interesting to note that people from all religions offer prayers to this mosque and thus is a proud icon of communal harmony. Jama-ath mosque in Kuniya has a great history of 150 years and it celebrates nabidinam every year with the support of huge number of devotees. There is a niskarapalli in Periya Bazar.

There are many Christians staying in Kanhiradukkam (eastern side of Periya) who migrated many years ago from the Travancore side of Kerala. St. Joseph Church in Kanhiradukkam is popular among Christians here. And the church gives support for all educational, cultural activities in the Panchayath.