PURPOSE: To provide a high pressure discharge lamp, which can reduce the generation of shade during the lighting.

CONSTITUTION: A support bar 8, which is supported by a stem 7 and extended along the axial direction of an outer tube 1, is provided, and a pair of support plates 11a, 11b are provided in both ends of this support bar 8, and a pair of light emitting tubes 3a, 3b, which are supported by the pair of support plates 11a, 11b, are provided in an X-shape at both ends of the support bar 8. With this structure, since the light emitting tubes 3a 3b cross each other and the support bar 8 crosses both the light emitting tubes at the central part between the light emitting tubes 3a, 3b, the generation of shade by the light emitting tube 3a or 3b, which is not lighted, and the support bar 8 is restricted small.