This study deals with the use of low cost, easily available, high efficiency and ecofriendly adsorbent as an ideal alternative to the currently used expensive methods of removing dye from waste water. The potential of mango bark powder for the removal of malachite green (triphenylmethane dye) from simulated water has been investigated. Studies are conducted to delineate the effect of pH, temperature, initial dye concentration and adsorbent concentration. Equilibrium isotherms are determined to assess the maximum adsorption capacity of the adsorbent. The adsorption data have been correlated with Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms which are used to suggest a plausible mechanism of the ongoing adsorption processes. The maximum adsorption capacity obtained from Langmuir equation is found to be 4.22 x 10(3) mol.g(-1) on mango bark powder. The adsorption of dye is found to be a second order rate equation. Thus, low cost mango bark powder can be an attractive option for dye removal from diluted industrial effluents.