We discuss the breakdown of axial vortex when perturbations are introduced. We simulate the axial vortex using a canonical model of the flow inside a closed circular cylinder of radius R and height H with one end (top end) rotating. This flow exhibits bubble-type vortex breakdown and results are presented for Re = 2494 and aspect ratio H / R = 2 . 5 , where Re is the Reynolds number based on angular speed ω and R. For this combination of Re and H / R , there are two vortex-breakdowns on the axis of the cylinder consisting of two bubbles. Perturbations are introduced in the lower bubble. In the unperturbed case, upper and lower bubbles consist of closed streamlines with two stagnation points on the axis, one is below the lower bubble and other is above the upper bubble. Similarly, two saddle points on the either sides of the axis are present between the two bubbles. When a sinusoidal perturbation of wave number 2 is introduced, the streamlines in the lower bubble spiral out to the outer flow. The diameter of the lower bubble becomes larger than that of the unperturbed case. The positions of the two stagnation points remain unaffected in the presence of this perturbation. The saddle points move radially outward from the axis compared to the unperturbed case.