CdS nanorods with varying dimensions were synthesized by solvothermal process. It was observed that the anions present with the Cd-salts play an important role in determining the dimensions of the CdS nanorods. The crystalline nature of the sources was found to play a crucial role in determining the phase of the products. The nature of the sulfur source, molar ratio of the precursors, filling fraction of the solvent, and the synthesis temperature play important role in defining the size and shape of the products. By controlling the experimental parameters it was possible to control the dimension of the CdS nanorods within a certain range (diameter of the nanorods could be varied within a wide range from approximately 7 to 100 nm by varying the temperature within 100-250 degrees C). Optical absorption, photoluminescence, and Raman studies of these samples were carried out to characterize the CdS nanorods.