Mahadev is a Sanskrit term which means "Great God." It is often used as an epithet for Lord Shiva, one of the most important deities in Hinduism. Lord Shiva is considered as the supreme god in Shaivism, one of the major branches of Hinduism, and is worshipped as the embodiment of destruction, creation, and eternal consciousness. He is depicted as a deity with multiple faces and arms, symbolizing his ability to perform multiple actions at once. Lord Shiva is also associated with several attributes such as the crescent moon on his forehead, a serpent around his neck, and a trident in his hand. Many devotees of Lord Shiva refer to him as "Mahadev" as a sign of reverence and devotion.