Titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) powders were prepared by simple hydrolysis of titanium tetrachloride (TiCl 4 ) followed by subsequent drying at 100°C. The as prepared powders were calcined at different temperatures ranging from 400 to 900°C. The as synthesized as well as calcined TiO 2 powders were characterized using X-ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy and BET surface area measurements. X-ray diffractometry revealed anatase to rutile phase transformation above 800°C for the TiO 2 powders. Photocatalytic activity of these samples was evaluated by studying the degradation of 10ppm aqueous methylene blue dye under 400W high pressure mercury vapor lamp with 50mg of TiO 2 powders. Highest photocatalytic activity was observed for TiO 2 powder calcined at 750°C due to presence of anatase and rutile phases in 80:20 ratio. The activity of powder calcined at 750°C was comparable with commercial Degussa P-25 TiO 2 powders owing to similar phase composition.