Prior to the modern development, Neriamangalam has been mentioned in trading routes when mercahnts have traded spices with tribes from the High Ranges. During the Chera Dynasty times early 3rd centuary the Periyar river has been connection between the old port city of Muziris and the living city of Madurai. A village not far from Neriamangalam known as Chellamala may have been an important town during thses times, it may have also been the famed capital city Vanchigram (arguably). Ruins of several temples located in 10Km radius indicate the importance of the area. The region also has small hamets of prominent tribes today, a lot of them are in protected regions of the forest. In 1902 J.J. Murphy of the Periyar Syndicate started the forst commercial rubber plantation in the regions on the banks of river Periyar.. Today a vast area is rubber estates, and it has brought about commercial transformation in the area, most of the 20,000 people in the village are in some or the other way connected to farming. Visit a tea shack for a cup of strong chai and listen to the men read the paper and argue politics over a pazhampori, a popular local snack. The temples and churches in the region are almost always celebrating something – visitors are always welcome to join in the festivities. Drop by the vegetable market and watch the weekly auction or visit a toddy shop for a taste of the local palm wine and incredibly fiery food they’re famous for. You can spend hours in Neriamangalam watching toddy tappers and rubber tappers at work, as herds of cows and groups of laughing schoolchildren pass you by. After all, time feels different here.