The Northernmost parts of Kasaragod District were once within the territory of the Tuluva kingdom, while the Central and Southern parts were ruled by the Mushika/Kolathiri/Chirakkal Royal Family of North Kerala. Then, according to local legends, there were 32 Malayalam and 32 Tulu villages in this region.[2] When the Vijayanagara empire attacked Kasaragod, it was still under the Kolathiri Raja who
had Nileshwaram as one of his capitals. During the decline of the Vijayanagara empire, the administration of this area was vested with Ikkery Naiks.[2] At the onset of collapse of the Vijayanagara empire, Venkappa Naik declared independence to Ikkery. Kumbla, Chandragiri and Bekal are considered to be the chain of forts constructed or renovated by Shivappa Naik.[2] In 1763, Hyder Ali conquered Bedanoor (Bidnur), the capital of the Ikkery Naiks. As per the Sreerangapattanam Treaty of 1792, Tippu surrendered Malabar, except Tulunadu (Canara) to the British. The British got Tulunadu only after the death of Tippu SultanA number of socio-cultural organizations thrive in Nileshwaram. Neeleshwaram is known as the 'Cultural capital of Kasaragod District'. The town is home to folk arts, temple festivals, a palace, kavuus (sacred grooves), old markets, and a weaver street. Festivals in Nileshwaram are Pooram and Kalasam in Mannampurathukavu and the festival in Thaliyil temple. Porat (ശാലീയ പൊറാട്ട്) in Anjoottabalam Veerarkavu, the Vishukkaliyattam festival in Thattacherry Vadayanthoor Kazhakam, and the Pooram festival in Cheermakkavu attract thousands of people in the month of Meenam. The temple premises are decked with red cloth while devotees offer gifts to the goddess in gratitude and ask for the cure of diseases like chicken pox. The Theyyam festival, which is performed in several kavus, tharavads, and other sacred buildings attract large numbers of foreigners. Festivities start on Thulam 10 and continue till Idavam. In Nileshwar alone, Theyyam is performed in many different forms, like Padarkulangara Bhagavathi, Padinhare Chamundi, Moovalamkuzhi Chamundi, Kundor Chamundi, Raktha Chamundi, Vishnumoorthi, Palot Bhagavathi, Muchilot Bhagavathi, Vairajathan, Vairavan, several Bhagavathis, Gulikans and Pottan in Aramana house.
