In Jain Dharma there isn’t a single “closest” panth to Mahavira. Both major traditions—Digambara and Śvetāmbara—revere Mahavira as the 24th Tirthankara and claim him as their rightful teacher. They differ in some life details, scriptures, and practices, but the essential path taught by Mahavira (the five vows, ahimsa, truth, non-attachment, austerity) is the same in both.

• Digambaras emphasize Mahavira’s austere, clothes-free renunciation and consider their line closest to his original ascetic mode.
• Śvetāmbaras honor Mahavira with a tradition that includes his life told in their own scriptures and imagery, while maintaining the same core teachings.

So, both traditions are considered authentic continuations of Mahavira’s teachings, with differences in narrative details, texts, and rituals.

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