Rare earth orthophosphates, RPO4 (LaPO4 and Nd: LaPO4) have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions with an experimental temperature of 120 degrees C and duration of 16-30 h. Crystals were typically in the size range of 50-120 nm. The nanoparticles obtained were characterized using powder X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, photoelectron spectroscopy, SEM, and optical absorption spectroscopy. The typical morphology of the rare earth phosphate particles obtained was either rod-shaped or spherical depending upon the experimental conditions.