On the west side of the plaza, with the best preserved roof comb at Palenque, is the Temple of the Sun, a part of the Cross Group. Carvings inside commemorate the accession to the throne -in 684 AD- of Kan Balam, born in 635 AD. He is shown facing his father.

This temple has a roof comb in very good conditions and has three entrances. The base of this Pyramid was built in four stages. In the Sanctuary is a bas relief. It depicts Pacal as a departed, now living with the Gods, and his son Kan Balam. Others believe its meaning to be a rite of passage for Kan Balam, first appearing as a child and then as an adult man. Between the two figures is the picture of the Jaguar Sun of the Underworld. The Jaguar Sun of the Underworld is connected with war and ceremonial offerings. The image of the God appears on a shield. This shield stands in a palanquin. Behind the Jaguar God are several spears. The palanquin is held by two Gods.

The inscriptions also mentioned an event from K'an Joy Chitam I's life. He was Kan Balam's predecessor. On November 20th, 496 K'an Joy Chitam I had participated in a ceremony that seems to have been reserved for royal heirs. But it seems that Kan Balam participated in such ceremony later in life.

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