Fr Antonio Maria Platey, SJ (1672-1719) / Poojya Rajendra Swami of Chikka Arasinakere

Poojya Rajendra Swami aka Antonio Maria Platei, SJ (1672-1719)

An Italian Jesuit priest who worked in the erstwhile Mysore Kingdom is the epitome of inculturation and evangelization. His close rapport with the king made people call him Rajendra Swami. He administered to the people under his care with utmost dedication from 1703 to until his death in Chikkaarasinakere in 1719. Having learnt Kannada and Tamil, Fr Platei worked tirelessly in bringing people to Christ with the support of the then King of Mysore Kantirava Narasaraja Odeyar. Many miracles are attributed to his intercession. Today a shrine has come on his tomb, with regular Masses and devotions. Irrespective of religion, class, or caste people flock to the shrine to pray and get the blessings. In 2019, Pope Francis declared him the Servant of God.

schedario in the Roman Archives of the Society of Jesus

Name:  Antonio Maria Platey
Province Ven.,( Veneto) then Goa
Birth Date:25 November 1672
Born at Veneto
Entrance to the Society:  28 Jan 1690 at Novellara in Veneto
Studies at Collegio Parmensi: 1700 May
He was the Professor of Grammer and Humanities and Literature in Veneto Province
Sent to India: 1703
He pronounced his Final vows ( 4 vows)  2 Feb 1708 in Residence Mamangala Mysore
He did his theology at Maximus College at Goa
He was the minister at Maximus College at Goa for some months
He was sent as a Missionary to Mysore Mission
He became the Superior of the Mission

 Died on 8 Oct 1719.

According to the Catalogue of the Departed of Goa Province 1720-21, Fr Antonio Platei (aka Pujya Rajendra Swamy) after arriving in India in 1703, was for a time Theology professor and House Minister in Goa, then for 14 years laboured strenuously in the Mysore Mission, serving successfully both Christians and others. A man of extraordinary virtue and constant austerity, after bearing patiently the ailments that tried him severely, died peacefully on 18 October 1719. He was buried in Chikkarasinakere. This year (2019) marks the 3rd centenary of his death. The bishop of Mysore has declared the place as a shrine of the Diocese. The Holy See has declared him Servant of God. 

Contact details of the Shrine

Chikkarasinakere Poojya Rajendra Swamy Punyakshethra
In charge of the Shrine: Fr William Pinto, Parish Priest
Holy Rajendra Swamy Shrine
K. M. Doddi
Chikkarasinakere Post
Maddur Taluk

Mandya Dist. - 571 422