Ideally, reach Mantralayam by noon and check into a hotel. There are several of these offering rooms at cheap rates. Preferably, choose the one closer to the temple. Refresh and visit the temple, which would be at a walking distance, around 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM. The temple offers decent lunch and dinner for the devotees apart from the few small restaurants just outside the temple. There's an aarti at 7:00 PM followed by a procession of chariots carrying the deities called the 'rathotsavam'. Early next morning, go to the river (most devotees take a bath here) and then visit the temple again before leaving.