As per traditional accounts, Shri Vidyatirtha (also known as Shri Vidyashankara) is a native of the Chola desha, while His Disciples Shri Bharati Krishna Tirtha and Shri Vidyaranya are Hoysala Karnataka Smarta Brahmanas.

It is further recorded that the Chola-desha (Tamil) Brahmanas residing in Vidyaranyapura are said to have installed the image of Shri Vidyashankara (Shri Vidyashankara Linga) along with his two Sanyasi disciples at Halesringeri Agrahara, as noted in the Archaeological Survey of Mysore Annual Report 1931.