Background: Malaria remains a major public health problem in most tropical countries, including India. Objective: To study the knowledge regarding malaria and the preventive measures practiced by the rural population attending a hospital. Setting: The Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Sawangi Meghe, Wardha, Maharashtra State. Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study concerning knowledge, attitude, and practice of malaria prevention over a period of  6 month.  Study population: The population in this study was residents of Wardha District, Maharashtra State, India, who were living there for at least one year. Four hundred adults were interviewed using a pre-tested questionnaire regarding their knowledge, attitude and practices about malaria. Results: Four hundred respondents were successfully interviewed. Most (89%) of the respondents knew the causes of occurrence of malaria. Majority (60.75%) respondents knew about human to human spread occurs in malaria and  53.75% respondents knew that it’s mainly transmitted by mosquito bites. Regarding symptoms of malaria, fever was the most consistent response (78.5%) followed by chills and shivering (49.5%). The knowledge of common breeding place for mosquitoes recognized was stagnant water by 56.75% respondents). Respondents attitude towards malaria seriousness, prevention and need for hospitalization and treatment for malaria was positive. Mostly 94.25% respondents strongly agreed that malaria is a serious illness. For prevention, 41.25% respondents were used mosquito mats/coils/liquid vaporizer, 31.5% used to clean the house and 19% used mosquito spray. Most of the respondent (57.75%)  came to know about malaria through television. Conclusion: Knowledge about malaria is inadequate in persons residing in rural areas and proper health education is required for successful control of malaria.