Where some were tried earlier, Hindu festivals set up (5)
I believe the answer is:
salem
'where some were tried earlier' is the definition.
The answer is a location as well as being a singular noun. This is suggested by the definition.
'hindu festivals set up' is the wordplay.
'hindu festivals' becomes 'melas' (a mela is a Hindu festival).
'set up' says the letters should be written backwards (in a down clue, letters go up).
'melas' back-to-front is 'SALEM'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for salem that I've seen before include "US city" , "Western state's capital" , "Place with allegedly wicked females" , "American capital" , "OT Hebrew capital" .)