The fabrication of tungstate/titanate composite nanorods is studied with the effect of calcination temperatures. The composites contain agglomerates in as prepared form which transformed to nanorods at higher calcination temperature. As prepared agglomerates begin to transform into nanorods morphology at 600 degrees C and acquires the nanorods morphology completely at 800 degrees C. Tetrahedral tungstate ions with subsequent calcination result in fabrication and growth of one dimensional geometry. The fabrication and growth of the nanorods are illustrated by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Presence of W inhibits the anatase phase transformation to rutile which shows thermally stability of the composite up to 800 degrees C. The composite nanorods exhibit higher photo activity as compared to pure sample, Degussa P-25 and WO3 in degradation of Rhodamine B under visible and UV light. The highest photo catalytic activity of the composite at 800 degrees C is due to retention of anatase form, unique structural characteristics, high surface area and tungsten incorporation. The new composite material extends the spectral response from UV to the visible region and reduces electron-hole recombination. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.